Arthur Walderne St Clair Tisdall facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Arthur Walderne St. Clair Tisdall
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|
|---|---|
| Born | 21 July 1890 Bombay, British India |
| Died | 6 May 1915 (aged 24) Achi Baba, Gallipoli, Ottoman Turkey |
| Buried |
No known grave
|
| Allegiance |  United Kingdom |
| Service/ |
 Royal Navy |
| Years of service | 1914–1915 |
| Rank | Sub-Lieutenant |
| Unit | 13 Platoon, D Company, Anson Battalion, Royal Naval Division |
| Battles/wars | World War I
|
| Awards | Victoria Cross |
Arthur Walderne St. Clair Tisdall was a brave British officer who won the Victoria Cross. This award is the highest and most important honor given for amazing bravery in battle to soldiers from the United Kingdom and Commonwealth countries. He showed incredible courage during World War I.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Arthur Tisdall was born in Bombay, which was part of British India at the time, in 1890. When he was young, his family moved, and he went to Bedford School in England from 1900 to 1909.
After school, he went to Trinity College, Cambridge, a famous university. While studying, he also enjoyed rowing and joined the Officer Training Corps. This group helped train future military officers. Arthur was very smart and achieved top grades in his studies of ancient Greek and Roman history and languages.
When World War I began in 1914, Arthur Tisdall was 24 years old. He decided to join the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve. He started as a regular sailor at a naval base called HMS President. However, because he was so capable, he was quickly promoted to an officer rank called Sub-Lieutenant.
Heroism at Gallipoli
Arthur Tisdall became a hero during the Gallipoli campaign in Turkey. This was a very tough battle in World War I.
The Rescue Mission
On April 25, 1915, the first day of the Gallipoli landings, British forces were trying to land on a beach called V Beach. It was a very dangerous situation. Soldiers were trying to get off a ship called SS River Clyde. They were under heavy machine gun fire from Turkish soldiers hiding in trenches on the shore.
Arthur Tisdall heard wounded men on the beach calling for help. Even though it was extremely dangerous, he jumped into the water. He pushed a small boat in front of him to protect himself and went to rescue them. He soon realized he couldn't do it alone. He managed to get one other naval person to help, and then three more joined them.
Together, they made five trips from the ship to the shore. Each trip was under constant and accurate enemy fire. They managed to rescue several wounded men from the beach. They kept going until it got dark and they could no longer see. His incredible bravery that day earned him the Victoria Cross.
His Final Act
Sadly, Arthur Tisdall was killed by a sniper on May 6, 1915. This happened during the Second Battle of Krithia at a place called Achi Baba in Gallipoli. He was only 24 years old. He was buried where he fell, but today, his grave is not known.
