Sergeant W McNally VC
Ovation For Murton Colliery Hero
Sergeant William McNally VC MM has come home on leave previous to journeying to Buckingham Palace to be presented with the VC by the King. He had a most enthusiastic reception, the entire population turning out to do him honour. Murton is very proud of her soldier sons, and not without just reason, for 1300 local lads have joined the colours during the war. Of these, nearly 200 have paid the supreme sacrifice, and 40 distinctions have been won in the field, including a VC, DCMs, and other honours.
Gallant Soldier’s Career
Sergeant McNally who is 24 years of age, was born at Murton, and previous to enlisting was a putter at the colliery, being esteemed by his employers and fellow workmen alike. On September 3 1914, he enlisted in the 8th Yorkshire Regiment, and in October 1916, he was awarded the Military Medal, shortly afterwards receiving a bar to the medal.
The gallant soldier was met by several prominent gentlemen, including Mr ES Wood who drove him in his motor car. Soon after three o’clock the procession started from the Village green, East Murton, gay with bunting, to the hero’s home at 11 Shepherdson Street. In the procession, which was headed by the Murton Prize Band, were representatives of the Miners’ Association and other local bodies.
Later there was a crowded meeting at the Miners’ Hall to make a presentation. The Reverend GW Anson Firth presided, and in an appropriate speech heartily welcomed Sergeant McNally.
Mr ES Wood, on behalf of the inhabitants, presented the sergeant with a gold watch and chain, and on behalf of Mr and Mrs JS Escott a silver cigarette case, and on behalf of himself, a beautiful gold pendant for his chain. In doing so, he related the deeds which won for the sergeant the coveted distinction.
During the operations on October 27 across the Piave, Italy, when his company was severely hindered in its advances by heavy machine gun fire from the vicinity of some buildings on the flank, Sergeant McNally, regardless of the risk involved, rushed the machine gun post single handed, killing the team with his gun.
Later, at Vazzola, on October 29, when his company came under heavy rifle and machine gun fire, Sergeant McNally directed the fire of his platoon against the danger point, whilst he himself crept to the rear of the enemy position. Realising that a frontal attack would mean heavy losses, he, unaided, rushed the position, killing or putting to flight the garrison and capturing a machine gun.
A Fine Example to His Men
On the same day, when holding a newly-captured ditch, he was strongly counter attacked from both flanks. By his coolness and skill in controlling the fire of his party, he frustrated the attack, inflicting heavy casualties on the enemy, and throughout the whole operations his many acts of gallantry set a high example to his men, and his leading was beyond all praise.
Sergeant McNally, VC acknowledging the gifts, said that he had only done his duty the same as any other British soldier would have done.
The inhabitants of Murton intend to make a public testimonial to the hero worthy of the deed. The miners have already headed the subscription list with a sum of £100, and the South Hetton Coal Company and Mr WO Wood have generously contributed to the fund.
Date: 27-Dec-1918
Author: Newcastle Daily Journal
Where to find this: British Newspaper Archive
Contributed by Durham at war
