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Profile
Name:William Frederick McFadzean
Age: 20
Rank: Private
Division: 36th Ulster
Brigade: 109
Place of Birth: Cregagh Belfast
Date of Birth: 9th October 1895
Son of Mr William McFadzean (snr) and Mrs McFadzean
Regiment: Ballynafeigh and Newtownbreda Young Citizen Volunteers. September 22nd1914
Posting: 14th Royal Irish Rifles
Trained: At Finner camp Randalstown
Further Training at Seaford and Liphook
Sailed with for France October 1915 At 7:00am on 1st July 1916 Billy McFadzean gave his own life by saving the lives of his many comrades and friends who were in a trench in Theipval Wood preparing to advance a half hour later. He was with his Regiment 14th Irish Rifles 36th Ulster Division, Brigade 109.
The German front line strongpoint which had been successfully stormed at zero hour on July 1stby the 36th (Ulster Division). Unlike the Divisions on their flanks the Ulstermen were able to advance about one mile in the opening assault. Shortly before the whistle blew, a Belfast boy called Billy McFadzean had thrown himself over a live grenade thus giving his life for a group of comrades (young Billy Mcfadzean was posthumously awarded the VC and has since been immortalised in song). This had fired the Irish lads up and any waverers were further encouraged by the sight of many of their compatriots donning their orange sashes and Major General George Gaffikin roaring the traditional Boyne war cry of "No Surrender !". Regrettably,despite 6,000 Ulstermen having been killed, they were forced out of the redoubt by a series of ferocious German counter attacks.
This citation appeared in the London Gazette on 9th September 1916.
For Most conspicuous bravery: The trunk and other parts of his body were never found. It was the first of fifty-one of the VC awards for men of the Somme. LT. R. D. Spencer who was the founder of the 14th RIR wrote. I was sadly grieved to hear of the death of Billy McFadzean. I consider his actions to be very heroic and a magnificent deed of the highest courage.The king wrote, on December 18th 1916 and William McFadzean Senior was given a third class ticket with which to travel to Buckingham Palace to receive the award. The ceremony took place on February 28th 1917. The King stated: I have very great pleasure in presenting to you this Victoria Cross for your Son, the Late Private William McFadzean. I deeply regret that he did not live to receive it in person. I am sure you are proud of your son; nothing finer has been done in this war for which I have yet given a Victoria Cross, than the act committed by your son to save the many lives in giving his own so heroically. Private W F McFadzean, 14th Royal Irish Rifles; killed on 1st July and who has no known grave.
