William Harold Coltman
| William Harold Coltman | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Born |
17 November 1891 Tatenhill Common, Burton upon Trent |
| Died | 29 June 1974 (aged 82) Outwoods Hospital, Burton upon Trent |
| Buried at | St Mark's Church, Winshill, Burton upon Trent |
| Allegiance | United Kingdom |
| Service/branch | British Army |
| Years of service | 1915–1919 1941–1945 |
| Rank | Captain |
| Service number | 3585 (later 241028) |
| Unit | The North Staffordshire Regiment (The Prince of Wales's) |
| Battles/wars |
First World War Second World War |
| Awards |
Victoria Cross Distinguished Conduct Medal & Bar Military Medal & Bar Mentioned in Despatches |
William Harold "Bill" Coltman, VC, DCM & Bar, MM & Bar (17 November 1891 – 29 June 1974) was an English recipient of the Victoria Cross (VC), the highest award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that could be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces. He was the most decorated other rank of the First World War. Deemed by some to be a conscientious objector, he held Christian beliefs precluding him from taking up arms, but as a stretcher bearer he won all his medals without firing a shot.
Coltman was born at Rangemore, a village on the outskirts of Burton upon Trent, Staffordshire. He was a deeply religious and committed Christian, a member of the Plymouth Brethren Assemblies of the Burton and Derby area. Since the beliefs of the Brethren were wholly opposed to war and the taking of life, it is by no means clear why in January 1915, during the First World War, he chose to volunteer for the British Army, The North Staffordshire Regiment (The Prince of Wales's), a combat regiment of the line, being placed in the 1/6th Battalion, beginning as rifleman and later accepting the rank of lance corporal.
It is said that the horrors of the battle of Gommecourt in July 1916 impelled him to ask to be a stretcher-bearer.
He was 26 years old when the following deed took place in France, for which he was awarded the VC.
For most conspicuous bravery, initiative and devotion to duty. During the operations at Mannequin Hill, north-east of Sequehart, on the 3rd and 4th of Oct. 1918, L.-Corp. Coltman, a stretcher bearer, hearing that wounded had been left behind during a retirement, went forward alone in the face of fierce enfilade fire, found the casualties, dressed them and on three successive occasions, carried comrades on his back to safety, thus saving their lives. This very gallant NCO tended the wounded unceasingly for 48 hours.
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