William Sanders commanded a submarine-decoy vessel in the First World War, and became the only New Zealander to win the Victoria Cross in a naval action.
William Sanders
Personal details
Full Name:
William Edward Sanders
Lifetime:
7 Feb 1883 – 14 Aug 1917
Biography
Events In History
30 April 1917
William Sanders received the Victoria Cross (VC) for bravery during a German U-boat (submarine) attack on his ship. He became the first – and only – New Zealander to win the British Empire’s highest military decoration in a naval action.
Main image: Lieutenant-Commander William Sanders
William Sanders commanded a submarine-decoy vessel in the First World War and became the only New Zealander to win the Victoria Cross in a naval action.