William Alfred Savage | |
|---|---|
| Born | (1912-10-30)30 October 1912 Smethwick,Staffordshire, England |
| Died | (1942-03-28)28 March 1942 St. Nazaire, France |
| Buried | Town Cemetery,Falmouth |
| Allegiance | United Kingdom |
| Service | Royal Navy |
| Years of service | 1939–1942 |
| Rank | Able Seaman |
| Battles / wars | Second World War |
| Awards | Victoria Cross |
William Alfred Savage,VC (30 October 1912 – 28 March 1942) was aRoyal Navy sailor and a recipient of theVictoria Cross, the highest award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British andCommonwealth forces.
Savage was 29 years old, and anable seaman in theRoyal Navy during the Second World War, when the following deed took place for which he was awarded theVictoria Cross.
On 28 March 1942, in theSt. Nazaire Raid, France, Savage, who was a gun-layer of apom-pom inMGB 314, engaged enemy positions ashore, shooting with great accuracy. Although he had no gun-shield and was in a most exposed position, he continued firing with great coolness until he was finally killed at his gun.[1]
The official citation noted "This Victoria Cross is awarded in recognition not only of the gallantry and devotion to duty of Able Seaman Savage, but also of the valour shown by many others, unnamed, in Motor Launches, Motor Gun Boats and Motor Torpedo Boats, who gallantly carried out their duty in entirely exposed positions against Enemy fire at very close range"[1]
Savage's Victoria Cross is displayed at theNational Maritime Museum, Greenwich, England.
Savage Road located nearDevonport Naval Base, Plymouth, Devonshire was named in his honour
