William Henry Metcalf (VC, MM) was an American recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.

He was 23 years old, and a Lance-Corporal in the 16th Bn., Manitoba Regiment , Canadian Expeditionary Force, (Canadian Scottish) during the First World War when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.

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 strong-point 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.

Also considered Canadian.

External links

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This page has been migrated from the Victoria Cross Reference with permission.