William Frederick Faulds
Encyclopedia
William Frederick Faulds VC
MC
(1895 – 1950) was a South African soldier, and recipient of the Victoria Cross
, the highest award of the British Commonwealth for gallantry "in the face of the enemy", during the First World War. He was the first South African-born man serving with South African Forces to be awarded the VC.
Faulds was born 19 February 1895. When he was 21 years old, and a private
in the 1st Battalion (Cape) of the South African Infantry Brigade during the First World War
, he was awarded the Victoria Cross for his actions on 18 July 1916 at Delville Wood
, France
.
The citation reads as follows:
As a temporary Lieutenant, Faulds was also awarded the Military Cross
for actions at Hedicourton 22 March 1918. This citaiton, for the Military Cross reads:
"In the retirement from the line east of Hendicourt, 22nd March, 1918, he was commanding one of the platoons which formed the rear-guard. He handled his men most ably, and exposed himself freely. Though the enemy pressed hard, he, by his fearless and able leadership, checked them, and enabled the remainder of the battalion to withdraw with slight loss."
He later achieved the rank of captain. He died 16 February 1950
His Victoria Cross was displayed at the National Museum of Military History in Johannesburg
.
This Victoria Cross was stolen from the South African Museum of Military History in Johannesburg South Africa and is still missing. For more details, contact the curator - see this link for more details: South African Museum for Military History
Victoria Cross
The Victoria Cross is the highest military decoration awarded for valour "in the face of the enemy" to members of the armed forces of various Commonwealth countries, and previous British Empire territories....
MC
Military Cross
The Military Cross is the third-level military decoration awarded to officers and other ranks of the British Armed Forces; and formerly also to officers of other Commonwealth countries....
(1895 – 1950) was a South African soldier, and recipient of the Victoria Cross
Victoria Cross
The Victoria Cross is the highest military decoration awarded for valour "in the face of the enemy" to members of the armed forces of various Commonwealth countries, and previous British Empire territories....
, the highest award of the British Commonwealth for gallantry "in the face of the enemy", during the First World War. He was the first South African-born man serving with South African Forces to be awarded the VC.
Faulds was born 19 February 1895. When he was 21 years old, and a private
Private (rank)
A Private is a soldier of the lowest military rank .In modern military parlance, 'Private' is shortened to 'Pte' in the United Kingdom and other Commonwealth countries and to 'Pvt.' in the United States.Notably both Sir Fitzroy MacLean and Enoch Powell are examples of, rare, rapid career...
in the 1st Battalion (Cape) of the South African Infantry Brigade during the First World War
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
, he was awarded the Victoria Cross for his actions on 18 July 1916 at Delville Wood
Delville Wood
The Battle of Delville Wood was one of the early engagements in the 1916 Battle of the Somme in the First World War. It took place between 14 July and 3 September, between the armies of the German Empire and allied British and South African forces...
, France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
.
The citation reads as follows:
As a temporary Lieutenant, Faulds was also awarded the Military Cross
Military Cross
The Military Cross is the third-level military decoration awarded to officers and other ranks of the British Armed Forces; and formerly also to officers of other Commonwealth countries....
for actions at Hedicourton 22 March 1918. This citaiton, for the Military Cross reads:
"In the retirement from the line east of Hendicourt, 22nd March, 1918, he was commanding one of the platoons which formed the rear-guard. He handled his men most ably, and exposed himself freely. Though the enemy pressed hard, he, by his fearless and able leadership, checked them, and enabled the remainder of the battalion to withdraw with slight loss."
He later achieved the rank of captain. He died 16 February 1950
His Victoria Cross was displayed at the National Museum of Military History in Johannesburg
Johannesburg
Johannesburg also known as Jozi, Jo'burg or Egoli, is the largest city in South Africa, by population. Johannesburg is the provincial capital of Gauteng, the wealthiest province in South Africa, having the largest economy of any metropolitan region in Sub-Saharan Africa...
.
This Victoria Cross was stolen from the South African Museum of Military History in Johannesburg South Africa and is still missing. For more details, contact the curator - see this link for more details: South African Museum for Military History
Links
- 1st Infantry Brigade (South Africa)
- Delville WoodDelville WoodThe Battle of Delville Wood was one of the early engagements in the 1916 Battle of the Somme in the First World War. It took place between 14 July and 3 September, between the armies of the German Empire and allied British and South African forces...