William John English
- Born
- 1882-10-06 12:00:00
- Died
- 1941-07-04 12:00:00
- Gender
- Male
William John English was born in County Cork on the 6th of October 1882. He received his education in Kent and Belfast.
As a young man, he enlisted in the British military forces. English was stationed with a yeomanry service in South Africa called the Scottish Horse. He was commissioned at the age of 18.
On the 3rd of July 1901, English served as a lieutenant in the Second Boer War. On the 3rd of July 1901, English was part of a group of men tasked with holding the right of a position at Vlakfontein. He held strong, even when two of his men were killed, and another two wounded. At one point he dashed across the open field to retrieve more ammunition, an act which exposed him to enemy fire. The position was held and English was awarded the pretigious Victoria Cross for his bravery and selfless behaviour.
English also went on the serve in both World Wars, achieving the rank of lieutenant colonel.
William John English died on the 4th of July 1941 when he suffered a cerebral haemorrahage whilst on board a ship.
He is buried Maala Cemetery in Yemen.
