Wilfred Dolby Fuller facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Wilfred Dolby Fuller
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| Born | 28 July 1893 Greasley, Nottinghamshire |
| Died | 22 November 1947 (aged 54) Frome, Somerset |
| Buried |
Christchurch Churchyard, Frome
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| Allegiance |  United Kingdom |
| Service/ |
 British Army |
| Rank | Corporal |
| Unit | Grenadier Guards |
| Battles/wars | World War I |
| Awards | Victoria Cross Cross of St. George (Russia) |
| Other work | Somerset Constabulary |
Wilfred Dolby Fuller was a very brave English soldier. He received the Victoria Cross, which is the highest and most important award for courage given to soldiers from the United Kingdom and Commonwealth countries. This award is given for incredible bravery when facing the enemy.
Contents
A True War Hero
Wilfred was born in Greasley, Nottinghamshire, on July 28, 1893. When he was 18 years old in 1911, he joined the First Battalion of the Grenadier Guards. These are famous soldiers who protect the King or Queen.
Joining the Army
At first, Wilfred worked as a military police officer at Chelsea Barracks. He was a great sportsman and loved challenges. He volunteered to join the battalion's 'Bomber' section. These soldiers were special because they would go ahead of everyone else. They carried new bombs called grenades.
A Brave Act in Battle
In 1915, Wilfred's group was sent to France to fight in World War I. They were part of a big battle called the Battle of Neuve Chapelle. On the second day of the battle, March 12, 1915, Wilfred was a lance-corporal. This meant he was in charge of a small group of these 'bomber' soldiers. They were moving forward into the German trenches.
Lance-Corporal Fuller saw some enemy soldiers trying to run away along a narrow trench. He bravely ran towards them. He threw a bomb and stopped the first soldier. The other soldiers, almost 50 of them, saw that they couldn't escape his bombs. They all gave up and surrendered to him. Wilfred was completely alone when this happened!
Receiving His Awards
For his amazing bravery, Wilfred received his Victoria Cross from King George V. This special ceremony happened at Buckingham Palace on June 4, 1915. Later that year, the Tsar of Russia (the Russian Emperor) also wanted to honor him. So, King George V gave Wilfred another award, the Russian Cross of the Order of Saint George, 3rd Class, in Sheffield.
Life After the War
In March 1916, Wilfred married Helena May Wheeler. She was a nurse from Somerset. Later that year, Corporal Fuller had to leave the Army because of health reasons.
Becoming a Police Officer
In 1919, Wilfred joined the Somerset Constabulary, which is the police force in Somerset. He worked as a police officer in several towns, including Milverton, Ilminster, Clevedon, and Frome. He retired from the police force in 1939, again due to health reasons, and lived in Frome.
Wilfred and Helena had two daughters. Wilfred Dolby Fuller passed away in 1947 when he was 54 years old. He is buried at ChristChurch in Frome, Somerset.
A Lasting Tribute
On May 5, 2017, the Avon and Somerset Constabulary honored Wilfred's memory. They named their new training center in Clevedon the 'Wilfred Fuller VC Operational Training Centre'. The Princess Royal officially opened the center. A book called 'Our Wilf' was also published to tell the story of Wilfred's life. His original Victoria Cross medal is now displayed at this training center.
