William Martin Cafe was an English recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to [[United Kingdom|British] and Commonwealth forces.

Details

He was 32 years old, and a Captain in the 56th Bengal Native Infantry , Indian Army during the Indian Mutiny when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.

On 15 April 1858 during the attack on Fort Ruhya , India, Captain Cafe, with other volunteers ( Edward Spence and Alexander Thompson) carried away the body of a lieutenant from the top of the glacis in a most exposed position under a very heavy fire. He then went to the rescue of one of the privates who had been severely wounded.

Further information

He later achieved the rank of General.

The medal

His Victoria Cross is displayed at the National Army Museum (Chelsea, England).

Reference

• Monuments To Courage (David Harvey, 1999)
• The Register of the Victoria Cross (This England, 1997)
• SCOTLAND'S FORgotten VALOUR (Graham Ross, 1995)

External links

• Location of grave and VC medal (Brompton Cemetery)

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