Rifleman 18278 William Frederick (k/n Billy) McFADZEAN, (V.C.) C Company, 14th Royal Irish Rifles. Location Somme 1916.
Born 9 October 1895 at High Street, Lurgan Co Armagh to William (J.P.) and Annie Pedlow McFadzean, nee Bowden of High Street, Lurgan
1901 the family were residing at 9 Jocelyn Gardens, Woodstock Road, Belfast. 1911 he was residing with his parents and siblings 29 Gregagh Town, (k/n/a Gregagh Road, Belfast later of Rubicon, Cregagh Road, Castlereagh Belfast, Ireland. (Rubicon may have been the name of the house)
Killed in action at the Battle of the Somme 1st July 1916 aged 20 years.
He is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial, Somme, France.
London Gazette, dated 8th Sept.ember 1916,
Citation.
For most conspicuous bravery. While in a concentration trench and opening a box of bombs for distribution prior to an attack, the box slipped down into the trench, which was crowded with men, and two of the safety pins fell out. Private McFadzean, instantly realising the danger to his comrades, with heroic courage threw himself on the top of the bombs. The bombs exploded blowing him to pieces, but only one other man was injured. He well knew his danger, being himself a bomber, but without a moment's hesitation he gave his life for his comrades.
