Captain Harry Cator VC, MM
“ They faced the likelihood of death or capture but Cator was one of those who risked his life to rescue them from No-Man’s Land”
Harry Cator experienced the highs and lows of war in the space of just three days during World War One. In spring 1917, he displayed such outstanding courage that he was later awarded the Victoria Cross. However, just three days afterwards – and before he was even recommended for Britain and the Commonwealth’s most prestigious gallantry award – he was almost killed by an exploding shell that left him with serious head and shoulder injuries.
Cator was born in Drayton, near Norwich in Norfolk, on January 24, 1894. He was the son of Robert Cator, who worked as a platelayer on the railways, and his wife Laura (née Shinn). He was educated at Drayton School but left aged 12. After working with farm horses, he followed his father onto the railways, working as a porter on the Midland and Great Northern Railway, with part of this role spent at Thursford station, near Fakenham, Norfolk.
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