Lance Corporal William Angus V. C.



 William Angus from Carluke, Scotland was the first professional footballer in the United Kingdom to be awarded the Victoria Cross for bravery. Angus was the captain of the club when it was called Wishaw Thistle and was a registered player for the club for three seasons including that of his enlistment to serve in the First World War. Angus is known to also have had a playing connection with Glasgow Celtic. Lance-Corporal Angus received a number of injuries at Givenchy on 10th June 1915 when single handedly rescuing a fellow Carluke soldier, Lieutenant Martin from in front of a German trench after volunteering to attempt a seemingly impossible rescue. This was described at the time as being the bravest deed ever by a British soldier. On returning to Scotland after he had been presented with his medal by the King, he was feted by the whole football community and received standing ovations at both Parkhead and Ibrox on the same day at both semi-finals of the Glasgow Cup. William Angus was injured during the incident but survived into old age and retained his interest in football being a president of Carluke Rovers. He is buried in Carluke. Anyone wishing to learn more about this genuine hero should view the William Angus website at http://www.forvalour.com/