LANCE-CORPORAL WILLIAM METCALF'S VC MEDAL GROUP HAS BEEN DONATED TO THE CANADIAN SCOTTISH REGIMENT MUSEUM, VICTORIA, BRITISH COLUMBIA, BY HIS SON, STANLEY METCALF. |
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Following a Victoria Cross exhibition in Vancouver in November 1998 |
In November 1998 the Canadian Scottish Regiment Museum held an exhibition of the Regiment's Victoria Crosses, loaned to the museum by the Canadian War Museum and families of holders. Following an invitation by the museum's curator, the son and grandson of William Metcalf journeyed from Maine and spent a week in the city during the period of the exhibition. Stanley Metcalf, William's son, was so impressed with the exhibition he decided to present his father's Victoria Cross medal group, along with his scrapbook and other associated items to the Canadian Scottish Museum for permanent safekeeping.
After several months training in England, Metcalf was transferred to the 16th Battalion ( Canadian Scottish ) on 13 May 1915 which was already in France. He went on to be wounded six times and to be awarded the Military Medal and Bar for gallantry. For the award of the Victoria Cross [ London Gazette, 15 November 1918 ]. Arras, France, 2 September 1918, No. 22614 Lance Corporal William Henry Metcalf MM, 16th Bn, ( Canadian Scottish ), Canadian Expeditionary Force.
For most conspicuous bravery, initiative and devotion to duty in attack ( Arras, France ), when, the right flank of the battalion being held up, he realised the situation and rushed forward under intense machine-gun fire to a passing Tank on the left. William Metcalf was invested with his Victoria Cross by King George V at Sandringham on the 26th January 1919. ![]() For the award of the Military Medal ( MM ) [ London Gazette, 6 January 1917 ]. Courcelette, France, 7 / 8 / 9 October 1916, No. 22614 Lance-Corporal William Henry Metcalf, 16th Bn, ( Canadian Scottish ), Canadian Expeditionary Force.
For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty near Courcelette on 7th / 8th / 9th October 1916. On the night of 7th October word was brought to battalion Headquarters that a man was lying in a trench some distance away bleeding to death. This NCO, a signaller, volunteered to go and bind his wound which he did, although the trench was under terrific shell fire and he was in great peril.
![]() For the award of a Bar to the Military Medal ( MM ) [ London Gazette, 21 January 1919 ]. Armiens, France, 8 August 1918, No. 22614 Lance-Corporal William Henry Metcalf MM, 16th Bn, ( Canadian Scottish ), Canadian Expeditionary Force.
No citation. |
Iain Stewart, 26 January 2000