A HEADSTONE HAS RECENTLY BEEN ERECTED OVER THE PREVIOUSLY UNMARKED GRAVE OF SERGEANT WILLIAM CHARLES FULLER VC, WELCH REGIMENT, AN EARLY FIRST WORLD WAR VC RECIPIENT.
6 January 2006



After his death, aged 90, on 29th December 1974, William Fuller was buried in Oystermouth Cemetery, The Mumbles, South Wales. For reasons not clear a headstone was never placed over his grave, the burial plot merely being marked by a small unnamed black vase, placed there by neighbours of Fuller.

A local historian carrying out research into the award of the Victoria Cross came across Fuller's unmarked grave and was disappointed that it was only marked by a vase. Later, a local newspaper published an article on the fact that Fuller's grave was not properly recognised, after which several members of the Fuller family came forward and decided to rectify the ommission of a headstone. A new stone was erected over William Fuller's burial plot sometime in 2005.


For the award of the Victoria Cross.

[ London Gazette, 23 November 1914 ], Chivy sur Aisne, France, 14 September 1914, 7753 Lance Corporal William Charles Fuller, 2nd Bn, Welch Regiment

For conspicuous gallantry on 14th September 1914 near Chivy on the Aisne, by advancing about 100 yards to pick up Captain Haggard, who was mortally wounded, and carrying him back to cover under very heavy rifle and machine gun fire.

William Fuller was invested with his Victoria Cross by King George V at Buckingham Palace on the 13th January 1915.


Fuller's VC was gazetted on the 23rd November 1914. He was spending the evening at the opening of the Free Soldiers' and Sailors' Club at the Albert Hall in Swansea and was completely unaware of the impending award of the Victoria Cross. He naturally became the hero of the evening.


Medal entitlement of Sergeant William Charles Fuller VC - 2nd Bn, Welch Regiment

  • Victoria Cross
  • 1914 Star + clasp "5th Aug-22nd Nov 1914"
  • British War Medal ( 1914-20 )
  • Victory Medal ( 1914-19 )
  • King George VI Coronation Medal ( 1937 )
  • Queen Elizabeth II Coronation Medal ( 1953 )

News

Go to VC UK flag Home Page

Iain Stewart, 6 January 2006