Corporal William Clamp VC

The Citation in the London Gazette of 18 Dec 1917 explains Corporal William Clamp’s selfless act of heroism: On 9 Oct 1917 at Poelcapelle, Belgium, when the advance was checked by intense machine-gun fire from concrete blockhouses and by snipers, Corporal Clamp attempted to rush the largest blockhouse. His first attempt failed, and the two men with him became casualties, but he collected some bombs and two more men, and dashing forward was the first to reach the blockhouse where he hurled his bombs, killing many of the occupants. He then entered, capturing a machine-gun and about 20 prisoners whom he brought back under heavy fire. He went forward again, encouraging his men and displaying the greatest heroism, until killed by a sniper. His body was never recovered.
William Clamp was born in Motherwell, Lanarkshire on 28 Oct 1891. His parents were Charles and Christina Clamp of Bridge Street, Motherwell. He came from a very large family, of 8 brothers and 9 sisters. He attended the Salvation Army Sabbath School and played the bugle in their band. He joined the Territorials on 22 Jan 1914, and when war broke out he was sent to the front with the 6th Cameronians and saw fighting at Festubert in 1915. He was badly wounded twice, and upon recovery he transferred to the 6th Battalion the Yorkshire Regiment, on 10 Jan 1917.

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