Wallace Lloyd Algie VC

Name: Wallace Lloyd Algie

Conflict: First World War

Gazetted: January 21, 1919

Service: Canadian Expeditionary Force

Place/date of birth: Alton, Ontario, Canada/June 10, 1891

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

Date of bravery: October 11, 1918

London Gazette citation:

Lt. Wallace Lloyd Algie, late 20th Bn., 1st Central Ontario R.

For most conspicuous bravery and self- sacrifice on the 11th October, 1918, north- east of Cambrai, when with attacking troops which came under heavy enfilade machine-gun fire from a neighbouring village.

Rushing forward with nine volunteers, he shot the crew of an enemy machine gun, and, turning it on the enemy, enabled his party to reach the village. He then rushed another machine gun, killed the crew, captured an officer and 10 enemy, and thereby cleared the end of the village.

Lt. Algie, having established his party, went back for reinforcements, but was killed when leading them forward. His valour and personal initiative in the face of intense fire saved many lives and enabled the position to be held.

Click here to see full Gazette entry.

Other decorations: N/A

Place/date of death: Cambrai, France/October 11, 1918

Grave/memorials: Niagara Cemetery, Iwuy, France

Origin of VC to the Lord Ashcroft collection: Purchased at auction, Glendining’s, London, 1995

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