Lieutenant Wallace Lloyd Algie, VC was born on 10 June 1891 at Alton in Ontario, Canada, the son of James and Rachel Algie. His father was a medical doctor whose practice covered Peel County, near Toronto. The family later moved to Toronto itself.

Algie was educated at Alton Public School and when his schooling was completed, he worked in banking before entering the Royal Military College of Canada.

After graduating as a lieutenant, he served initially in The Queen’s Own Rifles of Canada and then the 40th Northumberland Regiment.

In April 1916, Algie enlisted in the Canadian Expeditionary Force, a brother having already volunteered to serve in the First World War. Initially posted to the 95th Battalion, he was later transferred to the 20th Battalion, which arrived in France the following year to join the 4th Canadian Infantry Brigade on the Western Front. He took part in the Battle of Hill 70 and in the subsequent operations around Lens.

On 11 October 1918, during the Hundred Days Offensive, the 4th Brigade was supporting the 6th Infantry Brigade in an attack on the German-held village of Iwuy, northeast of Cambrai in France. Aware that German soldiers were bringing up more machine guns, Algie led a group of volunteers past the battalion’s designated area of operations and captured two machine guns, which were brought to bear on the Germans. In doing so he secured the east end of Iwuy and returned to his lines for reinforcements. He was killed when leading them back to the area under the control of his men. His actions on 11 October contributed to the capture of the entire village later that day, for which he was posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross.

Victoria Cross

For most conspicuous bravery and self-sacrifice on the 11th October 1918, north-east of Cambrai, when with attacking troops which came under heavy enfilade machine-gun fire from a neighbouring village. Rushing forward with nine volunteers, he shot the crew of an enemy machine gun, and, turning it on the enemy, enabled his party to reach the village. He then rushed another machine gun, killed the crew, captured an officer and 10 enemy, and thereby cleared the end of the village. Lt. Algie, having established his party, went back for reinforcements, but was killed when leading them forward. His valour and personal initiative in the face of intense fire saved many lives and enabled the position to be held.

Algie’s body was retrieved and he was buried at the Commonwealth War Graves Commission’s Niagara Cemetery at Iwuy, grave reference C. 7. He is also commemorated on the Alton, Ontario cenotaph and Alton’s Branch 449 of the Royal Canadian Legion is named for him.

On 28 March 1919, Algie’s father was presented with his son’s posthumous VC by the Lieutenant Governor of Ontario. The VC was later sold at auction to Lord Ashcroft in 1995 for £17,800, and is on display in the Lord Ashcroft Gallery at the Imperial War Museum.