Robert Spall
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Robert Spall (March 5, 1890, Suffolk County, England - August 13, 1918), was a Canadian recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.
He was 28 years old, and a Sergeant in the Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry, Canadian Expeditionary Force during the First World War when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.
On 13 August 1918 near Parvillers, France, during an enemy counter-attack, Sergeant Spall's platoon became isolated, whereupon he took a Lewis gun and standing on the parapet, fired upon the advancing enemy, inflicting many casualties. He then came down from the trench and directed his men into a sap 75 yards away, after which he picked up another Lewis gun, again climbed the parapet and held up the enemy with his fire, but while doing so was killed. Owing to Sergeant Spall, who deliberately gave his life, the platoon was saved.
His Victoria Cross is displayed at the Museum of the Regiments (Calgary, Alberta, Canada).
[edit] References
- Monuments to Courage, (David Harvey, 1999)
- The Register of the Victoria Cross (This England, 1997)
