Allegiance United Kingdom Name James McPhie Rank Corporal | Years of service 1914 - 1918 Service/branch British Army | |
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Died 14 October 1918 (aged 23)
Aubencheul-au-Bac France Buried at Naves Communal Cemetery Extension | ||
James McPhie VC (18 December 1894 – 14 October 1918) was a Scottish recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.
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Details
McPhie was 23 years old, and a corporal in the 416th (Edinburgh) Field Company, Corps of Royal Engineers, British Army during the First World War when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.
On 14 October 1918 at the Canal de la Sensée near Aubencheul-au-Bac, Nord, France, Corporal McPhie was with a party of sappers maintaining a cork float bridge, which when our infantry started to cross it just before dawn began to break away and sink. Corporal McPhie jumped into the water and tried to hold the cork and timbers together but this proved impossible so he swam back and collected the materials for repair. Although it was daylight and the bridge was under close fire he then led the way to the bridge, axe in hand. He was severely wounded and died almost at once. However, the bridge was kept open and 1/2nd Battalion London Regiment were able to maintain their bridgehead on the opposite bank until relieved.
The medal
His Victoria Cross is displayed at the Imperial War Museum, London, England.