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.