Campaign: South African War (Boer War)

Age 18

Nationality South-African

Deed: On 3 July 1901 at Vlakfontein, South-Africa, Lieutenant English was holding a position under attack by the enemy.Two of his men were killed and two wounded, but the positions was still held, largely owing to the lieutenant’s personal pluck. When the ammunition ran short, he went over to the next party to get more, over 15 yards of open ground, under very heavy fire at a range of 20 to 30 yards.

Remarks: Also considered Irish

Further William John English VC received the Victoria Cross in person from King
Information: Edward VII in July 1901.Served in WW1 and died on active service in 1941.

Relatives: Gavin Bamford (Relative through marriage)

Books: Irish Winners of the Victoria Cross(Richard Doherty & David Truesdale,2000) Biography and action accounts

Victoria Crosses of the Anglo-Boer War (Ian Uys, 2000) Detailed
biography and action account.

Monuments To Courage (David Harvey, 1999)
Provides an account record of every known grave and memorial.

The Register of the Victoria Cross (This England, 1997)
Provides the deed summary on this page.