Add Information to Record of a Person who served during the Great War on The Wartime Memories Project Website
Add Information to Record of a Person who served during the Great War on The Wartime Memories Project Website
Additions will be checked before being published on the website and where possible will be forwarded to the person who submitted the original entries. Your contact details will not be forwarded, but they can send a reply via this messaging system.
please scroll down to send a message
211803
Rfmn. William Workman MM.
British Army 12th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles
from:Ballymoney, Co. Antrim
(d.21st Mar 1918)
In May 1917 William Workman was on early morning sentry duty when he saw a German raiding party, advancing on a nearby British Lewis gun position. William opened fire and killed the German officer leading the attack, then also killed five and wound another eight of the raiding party whilst under fire. Faced with such an overwhelming counter-attack the Germans retreated, forced back by the lone sentry. It was later discovered that the German Officer had been decorated with the Iron Cross, and Rifleman Workman was presented with his trench dagger. For these heroic actions Rifleman William Workman was awarded the Military Medal. William was killed on the 21st March 1918. It is thought that one of his comrades accidentally shot him during a battle. He is commemorated at Kilraughts Presbyterian Church.