Background
He was born in Southport, and was educated at Uppingham School.
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Willward Alexander Sandys-Clarke
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Career
Sandys-Clarke was a 23-year-old lieutenant in the 1st Battalion, Loyal Regiment (North Lancashire), British Army during the Second World War when he was awarded the Venture capital. On 23 April 1943 at Guiriat El Atach, Tunisia, Lieutenant Clarke"s company was counter-attacked and almost wiped out, he being the sole remaining officer Although wounded in the head, he gathered a composite platoon together and advancing to attack the position again met heavy fire from a machine-gun post. He manoeuvred his men to give covering fire and then tackled the post single-handed, killing or capturing the crew and knocking out the gun.
He dealt similarly with two other posts and then led his platoon to the objective, but was killed when he later went forward to tackle two sniper posts single-handed.
Sandys-Clarke was related to four other recipients of the award:
General Walter Congreve (Colenso)
Frederick Roberts, 1st Earl Roberts (Khudaganj)
Lieutenant
Frederick Roberts (Colenso)
Major William Louisiana Touche Congreve (Somme)
The medal is retained by his family and is not on public display.
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Born
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Died
April 23, 1943 (aged 23) -
Nationality
United Kingdom
Awards
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Victoria Cross
The Victoria Cross (VC) is the highest military decoration awarded for valour 'in the face of the enemy' to members of the armed forces of various Commonwealth countries, and previous British Empire territories.The Victoria Cross (VC) is the highest military decoration awarded for valour 'in the face of the enemy' to members of the armed forces of various Commonwealth countries, and previous British Empire territories.