Personal info
- Name: William Henry SHORT
- D.O.B: 4th Feb, 1895
- D.O.A: 6th Aug, 1916
- D.O.D: 7th Aug, 1916
- Award: Victoria Cross
- Occupation at time of action: Private, 8th Battalion Alexandra, Princess of Wales’s Own (The Yorkshire Regiment), 69th Brigade, 23rd Division
Munster Alley, near Pozières, France 6 August 1916
6 August 1916
The First World War 1916
On the night of 4-5 August 1916 the 23rd Division attacked Munster Alley, south of the Albert-Bapaume Road beyond Pozières and north of Bazentin. On 6 August the 8th Battalion Green Howards captured 150 yards of the German trench.
Citation
For most conspicuous bravery. He was foremost in the attack, bombing the enemy with great gallantry, when he was severely wounded in the foot. He was urged to go back, but refused and continued to throw bombs. Later his leg was shattered by a shell, and he was unable to stand, so he lay in the trench adjusting detonators and straightening the pins of bombs for his comrades. He died before he could be carried out of the trench. For the last eleven months he had always volunteered for dangerous enterprises, and has always set a magnificent example of bravery and devotion to duty.