William Alfred Savage

William Alfred Savage VC (30 October 1912-28 March 1942) was an English recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.

Details

He was 29 years old, and an able seaman in the Royal Navy during the Second World War when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.

On 28 March 1942 in the attack on St. Nazaire, France, Able Seaman Savage who was a gun-layer of a pom-pom in MGB 314, engaged enemy positions ashore, shooting with great accuracy. Although he had no gun-shield and was in a most exposed position, he continued firing with great coolness until at last he was killed at his gun.

Further information

The Victoria Cross was awarded not only for his own gallantry, but for the valour shown by many others unnamed, in motor launches, motor gun boats and torpedo boats who carried out their duties in entirely exposed positions against enemy fire at very close range.

The medal

His Victoria Cross is displayed at the National Maritime Museum "(Greenwich, England)".

References

*British VCs of World War 2 (John Laffin, 1997)
*Monuments to Courage (David Harvey, 1999)
*The Register of the Victoria Cross (This England, 1997)

External links

* [http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/theartofwar/valgal/valour/INF3_0450.htm Able Seaman W.A. Savage] in "The Art of War" exhibition at the UK National Archives
* [http://www.homeusers.prestel.co.uk/stewart/cornwall.htm Location of grave and VC medal] "(Cornwall)"