William Martin Cafe

William Martin Cafe VC (26 March, 1826 - 6 August, 1906) 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.

Victoria Cross details

He was 32 years old, and a captain in the 56th Bengal Native Infantry, Indian Army during the Indian rebellion of 1857 when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.

On 15 April 1858, during the attack on Fort Ruhya, India, Captain Cafe, with other volunteers (Edward Spence and Alexander Thompson) carried away the body of a lieutenant from the top of the glacis in a most exposed position under very heavy fire. He then went to the rescue of one of the privates who had been severely wounded.

His Victoria Cross is displayed at the National Army Museum "(Chelsea, London)".

WILLIAM MARTIN CAFÉ (Captain, now Lieut. –General) 56th Bengal Native Infantry. At the fort of Ruhya on April 15th 1858, Lieutenant Willoughby, of the 14th Punjab Rifles, was shot down as he was capturing a position. Captain Café, under a heavy fire, went out and brought back his body, being assisted by four men of the 42nd; Lance Corporal Thompson (V.C.), Private Cook (V.C.), E. Spence (V.C), and Crowie. While doing so Spence was mortally wounded, and Captain Café immediately ran to his assistance, leaving the others to carry his comrade’s body. Spence died of his wounds on the 17th. Crowie’s name does not appear among those gazetted to the Cross-, owing most probably to his early death.

Later career

He later achieved the rank of General.

Later life

He is buried in Brompton Cemetery, London. [http://www.brompton.org/Residents.htm]

References

*Monuments to Courage (David Harvey, 1999)
*The Register of the Victoria Cross (This England, 1997)
*Scotland's Forgotten Valour (Graham Ross, 1995)

External links

* [http://www.homeusers.prestel.co.uk/stewart/brompton.htm Location of grave and VC medal] "(Brompton Cemetery)"