Lieutenant WILLWARD ALEXANDER SANDYS-CLARKE
The Loyal Regiment (North Lancashire)
1st Bn.
Died 23 April 1943
Age 23 years old
- Country of Service United Kingdom
- Awards Victoria Cross
- Additional Info Son of Mr. and Mrs. W. E. Sandys-Clarke; husband of Dorothy Irene Sandys-Clarke, of Egerton, Lancashire.
- Personal Inscription "LOYAUTE M'OBLIGE"
- Additional Citation note
The citation in the London Gazette for 29th June, 1943, gives the following details: During an attack on Guiriat el Atach, in Tunisia, on 23rd April, 1943, Lieutenant Sandys-Clarke's company gained their objective, but were counter-attacked and almost wiped out, he alone surviving of the officers. Although wounded, he gathered together a composite platoon and attacked the position again. The platoon was held up by heavy fire from a machine-gun post, which Lieutenant Sandys-Clarke tackled single-handed and knocked out. After personally dealing in the same way with two more machine-guns posts, he led his platoon to the objective. While they were consolidating there, they came under fire from two sniper posts; without hesitation he again advanced single-handed, and was killed within a few feet of the enemy. His quick grasp of the situation and his brilliant leadership undoubtedly restored the situation, while his outstanding bravery and tenacious devotion to duty were beyond praise.
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