William Ratcliffe VC MM was an English 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.
William Ratcliffe was born on 18th January 1884 at 38 Newhall Street, Liverpool. His parents were William Ratcliffe and Mary Ann Kelly. He was educated at St. Vincent de Paul's Roman Catholic School in Norfolk Street, Liverpool.
Ratcliffe worked in the Liverpool docks briefly after leaving school, then joined the British Army at the age of 17 and served in South Africa during the Second Boer War.
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