Sidney Clayton Woodroffe VC

Name: Sidney Clayton Woodroffe

Conflict: First World War

Gazetted: September 6, 1915

Service: Army

Place/date of birth: Lewes, Sussex/December 17, 1895

Rank when awarded VC (and later highest rank): Second Lieutenant

Date of bravery: July 30, 1915

London Gazette citation:

His Majesty the KING has been graciously pleased to award the Victoria Cross to Second Lieutenant Sidney Clayton Woodroffe, late 8th Battalion, The Rifle Brigade (The Prince Consort’s Own).

For most conspicuous bravery on 30th July, 1915, at Hooge.

The enemy having broken through the centre of our front trenches, consequent on the use of burning liquids, this Officer’s position was heavily attacked with bombs from the flank and subsequently from the rear, but he managed to defend his post until all his bombs were exhausted, and then skilfully withdrew his remaining men.

This very gallant Officer immediately led his party forward in a counter-attack under an intense rifle and machine-gun fire, and was killed whilst in the act of cutting the wire obstacles in the open.

Click here to see full Gazette entry.

Other decorations: N/A

Place/date of death: Hooge, Belgium/July 30, 1915

Grave/memorials: Menin Gate Memorial, Ypres, Belgium; The Rifle Brigade Memorial, Winchester Cathedral, Hampshire; All Saints’ Church, Bournemouth, Dorset;

Origin of VC to the Lord Ashcroft collection: Purchased privately, 2001

Current location of VC: Displayed on rotation at The Lord Ashcroft Gallery: Extraordinary Heroes exhibition, Imperial War Museum