William Henry Metcalf VC, MM &

Bar Bar or BAR may refer to: Food and drink * Bar (establishment), selling alcoholic beverages * Candy bar ** Chocolate bar * Protein bar Science and technology * Bar (river morphology), a deposit of sediment * Bar (tropical cyclone), a laye ...

(29 January 1894 – 8 August 1968) was an

American American(s) may refer to: * American, something of, from, or related to the United States of America, commonly known as the "United States" or "America" ** Americans, citizens and nationals of the United States of America ** American ancestry, p ...

soldier in the Canadian Army during

World War I World War I or the First World War (28 July 1914 – 11 November 1918), also known as the Great War, was a World war, global conflict between two coalitions: the Allies of World War I, Allies (or Entente) and the Central Powers. Fighting to ...

. Metcalf was a 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 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

Commonwealth A commonwealth is a traditional English term for a political community founded for the common good. The noun "commonwealth", meaning "public welfare, general good or advantage", dates from the 15th century. Originally a phrase (the common-wealth ...

forces. Although Metcalf was born in the United States, Metcalf is also considered Canadian since he joined the

Canadian Expeditionary Force The Canadian Expeditionary Force (CEF; French: ''Corps expéditionnaire canadien'') was the expeditionary warfare, expeditionary field force of Canada during the First World War. It was formed on August 15, 1914, following United Kingdom declarat ...

in 1914. He is one of only seven Americans to receive the Victoria Cross.

Military service

Metcalf is one of six Canadian soldiers to be awarded the Victoria Cross on 2 September 1918 for actions across the Drocourt-Quéant Line near

Arras, France Arras ( , ; ; historical ) is the prefecture of the Pas-de-Calais department, which forms part of the region of Hauts-de-France; before the reorganization of 2014 it was in Nord-Pas-de-Calais. The historic centre of the Artois region, with a ...

. The other six are:

Bellenden Hutcheson Bellenden Seymour Hutcheson (16 December 1883 – 9 April 1954) was an American-born Canadian recipient of the Victoria Cross (VC) during the First World War. The VC is the highest award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded ...

Arthur George Knight Arthur George Knight VC (26 June 1886 – 3 September 1918) was an English-Canadian soldier. Knight was a recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth ...

Claude Joseph Patrick Nunney Claude Joseph Patrick Nunney (24 December 1892 – 18 September 1918) was a Canadians, Canadian soldier. Nunney was a recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Co ...

Cyrus Wesley Peck Cyrus Wesley Peck & Medal bar, Bar (26 April 1871 – 27 September 1956) was a Canadians, Canadian recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth of Nat ...

Walter Leigh Rayfield Walter Leigh Rayfield (7 October 1880 – 19 February 1949) was a Canadian recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces. Rayfield was one of the ...

and

John Francis Young John Francis Young (14 January 1893 – 7 November 1929) was a Canadian soldier who served in the First World War. Young was a recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to Brit ...

. He was 23 years old and a

lance corporal Lance corporal is a military rank, used by many English-speaking armed forces worldwide, and also by some police forces and other uniformed organisations. It is below the rank of corporal. Etymology The presumed origin of the rank of lance corp ...

in the 16th ( Canadian Scottish) Battalion,

, during the

First World War World War I or the First World War (28 July 1914 – 11 November 1918), also known as the Great War, was a World war, global conflict between two coalitions: the Allies of World War I, Allies (or Entente) and the Central Powers. Fighting to ...

when he committed the following deed for which he was awarded the Victoria Cross. On 2 September 1918 at Arras, France, when the right flank of the battalion was held up, Lance Corporal Metcalf rushed forward under intense machine-gun fire to a passing tank and with his signal flag walked in front of the tank directing it along the trench in a perfect hail of bullets and bombs. The machine-gun strongpoint was overcome, very heavy casualties were inflicted and a critical situation was relieved. Later, although wounded, Corporal Metcalf continued to advance until ordered to get into a shell hole and have his wounds dressed.

Victoria Cross citation

The citation reads: In addition to the Victoria Cross, he was awarded the

Military Medal The Military Medal (MM) was a military decoration awarded to personnel of the British Army and other arms of the British Armed Forces, armed forces, and to personnel of other Commonwealth of Nations, Commonwealth countries, below commissioned o ...

and

References

External links

William Henry Metcalf's digitized service file
''(Lance-Corporal William Henry Metcalf entry)''

"Eastport, Maine, USA"

"William Metcalf's Victoria Cross donated to the Canadian Scottish Regiment Museum"
Legion Magazine-The Magnificent Seven
{{DEFAULTSORT:Metcalf, William Henry 1890s births 1968 deaths Canadian Expeditionary Force soldiers Canadian World War I recipients of the Victoria Cross Canadian recipients of the Military Medal Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute alumni People from Eastport, Maine American World War I recipients of the Victoria Cross People from South Portland, Maine People from Washington County, Maine Military personnel from Maine Canadian Scottish Regiment (Princess Mary's) Canadian Scottish Regiment (Princess Mary's) soldiers