William Cosgrove VC MSM (1 October 1888 – 14 July 1936) born in Upper Aghada, County Cork, was an Irish 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.

He was 26 years old, and a corporal in the 1st Battalion of the The Royal Munster Fusiliers (RMF), British 29th Division during the First World War when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the battalion's first VC.

On 26 April 1915, the second day of the disastrous V beach landing at Cape Helles, during the Battle of Gallipoli, Turkey, when just three companies of Munsters had made it to the shelter of some dunes, at daybreak they charged to take the village behind the Sedd el Bahr fort overlooking the bay. Corporal Cosgrove led a company section during the attack on the Turkish positions. Barbed wire held them up and Corporal Cosgrove, described by his command as "an Irish Giant" set himself the task of pulling the stanchion posts of the enemy's high wire entanglement single-handed out of the ground, notwithstanding the terrific fire from both front and flanks with officers and men falling all around him. Thanks to his exceptional bravery, his heroic actions contributed greatly to the successful clearing of the heights. Turkish counter-attacks were held off.

He later achieved the rank of Staff Sergeant.

He died at Millbrook, London 14 July 1936:

His body was conveyed from London to Fishguard by road en route to Upper Agahada, County Cork in Ireland for internment there, his native place. About 500 members of the R.M.F. Association met the vessel at Penrose Quay and formed a guard of honour as the coffin was taken from the boat to the waiting hearse. The grand salute was also sounded, the guard of honour standing to attention bare-headed. The courtege subsequently left Penrose Quay and proceeded by road to Aghada. Capt. D.D. Sheehan R.M.F. was in charge of the Comrades.

When the remains reached Upper Aghada, the coffin was removed from the hearse and members of the Association from Cork and his native place shouldered the coffin to the family burial ground at Upper Aghada. A striking and impressive spectacle was the sounding of the Last Post, while the other ex-army men stood to attention. It is an unusual spectacle in these days, and many people were visibly moved. When the internment had taken place a beautiful wreath was laid on the grave on behalf of the Association, and this simple ceremony closed the chapter in the life of a great Irish soldier.

(Taken from the RMF Old Comrades Association Journal 1936).

References

Listed in order of publication year

• The Register of the Victoria Cross (1981, 1988 and 1997)
• The Irish Sword (Brian Clarke 1986)
• Irelands VCs (Dept of Economic Development 1995)
• Monuments to Courage (David Harvey, 1999)
• Irish Winners of the Victoria Cross (Richard Doherty & David Truesdale, 2000)

• Heroic Options, The Irish in the British Army (Desmond and Jean Bowen,
  Illustrated, 332 pages, Pen & Sword Books, 2005) ISBN 1-84415-152-2.

External links

• Location of grave and VC medal (Co. Cork)
• Homepage of the Royal Munster Fusilier's Association

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