Alfred Edward Sephton VC (19 April 1911 – 19 May 1941) was an English recipient of the

Victoria Cross The Victoria Cross (VC) is the highest and most prestigious decoration of the Orders, decorations, and medals of the United Kingdom, British decorations system. It is awarded for valour "in the presence of the enemy" to members of the British ...

, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to

British British may refer to: Peoples, culture, and language * British people, nationals or natives of the United Kingdom, British Overseas Territories and Crown Dependencies. * British national identity, the characteristics of British people and culture ...

and

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forces.

Details

He was 30 years old, and a

petty officer A petty officer (PO) is a non-commissioned officer in many navies. Often they may be superior to a seaman, and subordinate to more senior non-commissioned officers, such as chief petty officers. Petty officers are usually sailors that have ...

in the Royal Navy during the Second World War when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC. On 18 May 1941 in the

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, south of

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, Petty Officer Sephton was a director layer on HMS ''Coventry'' when she went to the assistance of a hospital ship which was being attacked by German dive-bombers. When the enemy engaged ''Coventry'', strafing her with machine-gun fire, Petty Officer Sephton was mortally wounded, a bullet actually passing through his body and injuring an able seaman beside him. Although in great pain and partially blinded, nevertheless he stuck to his instruments and carried out his duties until the attack was over. He died of his injuries next day.

The medal

Sephton's Victoria Cross was stolen from

Coventry Cathedral The Cathedral Church of Saint Michael, commonly known as Coventry Cathedral, is the seat of the Bishop of Coventry and the Diocese of Coventry within the Church of England. The cathedral is located in Coventry, West Midlands (county), West Midla ...

in 1990.

References

*'' British VCs of World War 2'' (John Laffin, 1997) *''

Monuments to Courage David Charles Harvey (29 July 1946 – 4 March 2004) was a British historian and author. He is notable for his seminal work, ''Monuments To Courage'', which documents the graves of almost all recipients of the Victoria Cross, a task that took ...

'' (David Harvey, 1999) *''

The Register of the Victoria Cross ''The Register of the Victoria Cross'' is a reference work that provides brief information on every Victoria Cross awarded until the publication date. Each entry provides a summary of the deed, along with a photograph of the recipient and the f ...

'' (This England, 1997)

External links

CWGC entry
in ''The Art of War'' exhibition at the

UK National Archives The National Archives (TNA; ) is a non-ministerial department of the Government of the United Kingdom. Its parent department is the Department for Culture, Media and Sport of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. It is the ...

Royal Naval MuseumVC online biography
{{DEFAULTSORT:Sephton, Alfred 1911 births 1941 deaths Military personnel from Cheshire People from Warrington People who died at sea Burials at sea Royal Navy sailors Royal Navy personnel killed in World War II Royal Navy recipients of the Victoria Cross British World War II recipients of the Victoria Cross Deaths by German airstrikes during World War II