Private William Ratcliffe VC
[ London Gazette, 2 August 1917 ], Messines, Belgium, 14 June 1917, Private William Ratcliffe, 2nd Bn, South Lancashire Regiment
For most conspicuous bravery ( Messines, France ). After an enemy’s trench had been captured, Private Ratcliffe located an enemy machine gun which was firing on his comrades from the rear, whereupon, single-handed and on his own initiative, he immediately rushed the machine gun position and bayonetted the crew. He then brought the gun back into action in the front line.
This very gallant soldier has displayed great resource on previous occasions, and has set an exceptionally fine example of devotion to duty.
William Ratcliffe was born in Liverpool and at the age of 17 joined the Army and served in South Africa during the Second Boer War. On leaving the army he worked on the docks, but when the WWI broke out he rejoined his old regiment, The South Lancashire Regiment (Prince of Wales' Volunteers). After being discharged in 1919, he was known as the Dockers VC when he went back to work at Liverpool docks.
He was burried with his sister and Brother in Law in Allerton Cemetery. Cornelius Walsh is also named on the bottom of his headstone, killed at Dunkirk 1940
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Private William Ratcliffe VC
[ London Gazette, 2 August 1917 ], Messines, Belgium, 14 June 1917, Private William Ratcliffe, 2nd Bn, South Lancashire Regiment
For most conspicuous bravery ( Messines, France ). After an enemy’s trench had been captured, Private Ratcliffe located an enemy machine gun which was firing on his comrades from the rear, whereupon, single-handed and on his own initiative, he immediately rushed the machine gun position and bayonetted the crew. He then brought the gun back into action in the front line.
This very gallant soldier has displayed great resource on previous occasions, and has set an exceptionally fine example of devotion to duty.
William Ratcliffe was born in Liverpool and at the age of 17 joined the Army and served in South Africa during the Second Boer War. On leaving the army he worked on the docks, but when the WWI broke out he rejoined his old regiment, The South Lancashire Regiment (Prince of Wales' Volunteers). After being discharged in 1919, he was known as the Dockers VC when he went back to work at Liverpool docks.
He was burried with his sister and Brother in Law in Allerton Cemetery. Cornelius Walsh is also named on the bottom of his headstone, killed at Dunkirk 1940
my web site