William Henry Short facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
William Henry Short
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|---|---|
| Born | 4 February 1885 Eston, North Riding of Yorkshire, England |
| Died | 7 August 1916 (aged 31) Contalmaison, France |
| Buried |
Contalmaison Chateau Cemetery
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| Allegiance |  United Kingdom |
| Service/ |
 British Army |
| Years of service | 1914-1916 † |
| Rank | Private |
| Unit | Green Howards |
| Battles/wars | World War I |
| Awards | Victoria Cross |
William Henry Short was a very brave soldier from England. He received the Victoria Cross, often called the VC. This is the highest and most important award for courage in the British military. It is given for incredible bravery when facing the enemy.
Contents
William Henry Short: A Hero's Story
Growing Up in Eston
William Henry Short was born on February 4, 1884. He grew up in a place called Eston, near Middlesbrough in England. Before he joined the army, William worked in a steel factory. He was a craneman, which means he operated large cranes.
William was also a popular football player in his local area. He played for several teams, including Grangetown Albion, Saltburn, and Lazenby United.
Joining the Army
When the First World War began, William joined the British Army. He became a private in the 8th Battalion of the Yorkshire Regiment (Alexandra, Princess of Wales's Own). This regiment is also known as the Green Howards.
Bravery in Battle
William Henry Short was 31 years old when he showed amazing bravery. This happened on August 6, 1916, during the Battle of the Somme in France. The battle took place in a trench area called Munster Alley, near Contalmaison.
During a fierce attack, William was at the very front. He was throwing bombs at the enemy with great courage. Even though he was badly hurt in his foot, he refused to stop fighting. His friends told him to go back to safety, but he kept throwing bombs.
Later, his leg was seriously injured by an explosion. He could no longer stand up. But even then, he didn't give up. He lay in the trench and helped his comrades. He prepared bombs for them, making sure they were ready to use. Sadly, William passed away during the battle before he could be taken out of the trench.
For almost a year before this, William had always volunteered for dangerous missions. He always showed incredible bravery and dedication to his duty. Because of his outstanding courage, he was awarded the Victoria Cross.
Remembering a Hero
William Henry Short was buried in the Contalmaison Chateau Cemetery in France. His gravestone has a special message from his family. It says: "SAFE WITH JESUS NEVER FORGOTTEN BY MOTHER FATHER, BROTHERS & SISTERS TILL WE MEET AGAIN."
His Victoria Cross medal is now on display. You can see it at the Green Howards Museum in Richmond, North Yorkshire, England. William's steel helmet is also kept in a museum, as part of the collection at the Imperial War Museum.
Images for kids
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Short's gravestone
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Short's monument, Eston Cemetery
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