William Frederick Mcfadzean
Private, 14th Battalion. Royal Irish Rifles
- Register No.
- 777 (Alf's numbering, from The Register of the Victoria Cross, 1997)
- Rank
- Private all Privates →
- Unit
- 14th Battalion. Royal Irish Rifles all Royal Irish Rifles VCs →
- Date of action
- 1 July 1916 on this day → all of 1916 →
- Conflict / campaign
- First World War
- London Gazette
- 8th June 1917 on this day → all of 1917 →
- Born
- 9th October 1895 at Lurgan, County Armagh, Ireland
- Died
- in action on 1st July 1916, by Thiepval Wood, France
- Award
- Posthumous all posthumous VCs →
- Memorial / grave
- on Thiepval Memorial, France, and at Newtonbeda Presbyterian Church, Belfast, Northern Ireland
From Alf Askin's research notes
Reproduced as Alf wrote it, c. 2000–2005. Spelling and abbreviations are his own.
McFADZEAN, William Frederick. (reg No. 777).
Private. 14th Battalion. Royal Irish Rifles.
London Gazetted on 8th June 1917.
Born on 9th October 1895 at Lurgan, County Armagh, Ireland.
Killed in action on 1st July 1916, by Thiepval Wood, France.
Memorial on Thiepval Memorial, France, and at Newtonbeda Presbyterian Church, Belfast, Northern Ireland. In a concentration trench, near Thiepval Wood, France on the 1st July 1916, a box of bombs was being opened, ready for an attack. The box slipped down into the trench, which was occupied by many troops, and two safety pins fell out of the bombs. Private McFadzean at once realised the danger to his comrades and threw courageously on top of the bombs, which exploded, causing him to be blown to pieces. His heroism resulted in only one other casualty.. Being a bomber himself, Private McFadzean was well aware of the danger but, in spite of this, he gave his life for his comrades.
Alf's notes on his life
In a concentration trench, near Thiepval Wood, France on the 1st July 1916, a box of bombs was being opened, ready for an attack. The box slipped down into the trench, which was occupied by many troops, and two safety pins fell out of the bombs. Private McFadzean at once realised the danger to his comrades and threw courageously on top of the bombs, which exploded, causing him to be blown to pieces. His heroism resulted in only one other casualty.. Being a bomber himself, Private McFadzean was well aware of the danger but, in spite of this, he gave his life for his comrades.
Visit the grave or memorial
Alf recorded the memorial as: on Thiepval Memorial, France, and at Newtonbeda Presbyterian Church, Belfast, Northern Ireland
Map links open a search for the place name Alf recorded; please check opening times and exact locations before travelling. Many VC graves have since been restored by the Victoria Cross Trust.
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