The Volunteer
In Thiepval Wood by morning light
a young private preparing for the fight
spotted an object small and bright
a dislodged pin from a grenade
his knoble decision instantly made
to save his comrades in the brigade
There was no time to stop the fuse
his lithe young body he did use
so only one man they would loose
he lay on the munitions without fear
barking orders to get clear
the first VC among The Volunteer
The explosion turned him to red mist
but saved many others that did enlist
who with great spirit did persist
to charge the enemy without fear
and take their trenches with a cheer
the men of the Ulster Volunteer
Author Notes
On the 1st July 1916 William McFadzean was distributing hand grenades in preparation for the attack. A pin was dislodged from one of the grenades in the box this arming the device. When it exploded to would set off others in the box which was situated in a crowded trench.
William made the decision to use his body to absorb the explosion thus limiting the casualties to only himself. William was posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross for his actions, the fist man recognised this way during the Somme Campaign. His comrades of the 36th Division, Ulster Volunteer Force tumbled out of there position in Thiepval Wood and captured all of their objectives by 9:00 AM, the only unit to do so.