The Remarkable War of Lance-Corporal William Harold Coltman

 

Prior to the outbreak of the First World War, the life of Bill Coltman had been unexceptional. Born in Staffordshire, England on 17th November 1891, he was a market gardener by trade and taught at his local village Sunday school. As a member of the Plymouth Brethren, his religious persuasion meant that he held a predominantly pacifistic outlook on life. All in all, there was nothing about Bill to suggest that his participation in the approaching conflict would be significant.

 

Indeed, it was due to his strong religious beliefs that, upon enlisting for service in 1915, he registered as a conscientious objector, and requested to serve only in a non-combatant role. His request was duly granted, and he was assigned to the post of stretcher bearer with the North Staffordshire (Price of Wales) Regiment. As he would soon discover, the role actually placed him in much greater danger than his combatant colleagues. He was frequently obliged to carry out rescue missions across the hellish and brutal terrain of no-man’s-land, whilst others remained ensconced in the comparative safety of the trenches, without any means with which to defend himself.

 

He soon began to build a reputation for bravery and dedication to duty, refusing rest until all those wounded in action had been recovered. Despite being only 5 feet 4 inches in height and of slim build, he often operated on his own, carrying injured soldiers from the battlefield on his back. He was frequently mentioned in dispatches, and his exemplary service was recognised by the French Army, who decorated him with the Croix de Guerre, a medal awarded to individuals who distinguish themselves through acts of heroism.

 

Bill Coltman

 

Following the rescue of a wounded officer from no-man’s-land, Bill Coltman was awarded the Military Medal in February 1917. In June of 1917, when mortar fire set light to a store, he removed the stock of hand grenades held therein, thus preventing a much more deadly conflagration. He also rescued a number of men trapped in a collapsed tunnel. In recognition of his actions, a bar was added to his Military Medal. In July of 1917, Bill was in action once again, this time risking his own life to evacuate injured soldiers from the front line, whilst under heavy shelling. He even continued to search for wounded colleagues throughout the hours of darkness, despite continuing shell and machine gun fire. In recognition of his bravery he was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal. 1917 it seems, was a momentous year in the life of the young man from Staffordshire.

 

If 1917 had been a remarkable year for Bill, 1918, as it turned out, would be no less memorable. In September of that year, whilst under heavy artillery fire, he administered treatment to the injured, and carried many wounded men to safety over a period of some 24 hours, refusing to rest until he was certain that there were no more casualties requiring help. For his selfless bravery in this action he was awarded a bar to his Distinguished Conduct Medal. And, as if all of that was not enough, his finest hour was yet to come.

 

Towards the end of the war, a number of wounded soldiers had to be left on open ground following a retreat. Learning of this, Bill ventured forward alone in the face of heavy crossfire, and on three separate occasions, carried injured servicemen on his back until safely behind allied defences, undoubtedly saving their lives. During this engagement he also worked continuously for 48 hours, treating the wounded. In recognition of his incredible courage, Bill Coltman earned the highest award for gallantry that can be awarded to a British serviceman; the Victoria Cross.

 

Bill’s Medals

 

And so it was, that Lance-Corporal William Harold Coltman VC, DCM & Bar, MM & Bar, became Britain’s most decorated enlisted soldier of World War 1, despite the fact that throughout the entire conflict, Bill Coltman was not wounded and never fired a single shot in anger!

 

As is typical of men of his calibre, Bill shied away from the limelight. On 22nd May 1919, he was invested with his Victoria Cross by King George V at Buckingham Palace, following which he went straight home, in order to avoid a civic reception held in his honour, in his home town of Burton-on-Trent, Staffordshire. After the war, he took up employment with his local authority parks department as a groundskeeper, a position he held until retirement in 1963.

 

Bill’s Grave

 

Bill Coltman died on 29th June 1974, aged 82. His grave in St Mark’s Church, Winshill, Burton-on-Trent, where he lies next to his wife, Elanor May, is maintained by the Victoria Cross Trust. In addition, the headquarters of the Defence Medical Services is called Coltman House, in his honour, and there is a monument to Bill at the Memorial Gardens in Burton-on -Trent. But perhaps the most appropriate legacy for a man who was a pacifist at heart, is the Coltman VC Peace Wood, in Winshill, Staffordshire. He once expressed the hope that there would come a time when it would not be necessary for Victoria Crosses to be won. Well said Bill!

 

 

Sources:

http://www.abroadintheyard.com/britains-most-decorated-enlisted-soldier-ww1-conscientious-objector/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Coltman

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Croix_de_Guerre