St. John's Church Victoria Cross Memorial
Sephton Alfred Edward VC Petty Officer P/JX 130821
H.M.S. Coventry, Royal Navy.
Alfred was born on 19 April 1911 at 30 Collier Street, Warrington, the son of Alfred Joseph and Annie Sephton. He was baptised on 21 May 1911 at St Paul’s Church, Warrington. By 1921 the family were living at 51 Thomas Street, Wolverhampton, together with his three older sisters, Eva, Fanny and Annie, and his younger siblings, Norah and Gilbert. Alfred joined the Royal Navy on 12 September 1927 at the age of sixteen; his civilian employment prior to enlistment was as a fitter’s boy.
On 17 May 1941, HMS Coventry came under heavy attack by German Stuka dive-bombers while operating off Crete. The ship had gone to the assistance of the hospital ship MV Aba, which was itself being attacked. When the enemy turned their attention to Coventry, raking her with machine-gun fire, Alfred was severely wounded, a bullet passing through his body and injuring an able seaman beside him. Despite intense pain and partial blindness, he remained at his post, kept to his instruments, and continued to carry out his duties until the attack was over. He succumbed to his injuries the following day. Alfred was buried at sea.
For this action Alfred was awarded the Victoria Cross the citation in the London Gazette of 28th November 1941, reads: 'Petty-Officer Sephton was director-layer when H.M.S. Coventry was attacked by aircraft, whose fire grievously wounded him. In great pain and faint from loss of blood he stood fast, doing his duty without fault until the enemy was driven off. Thereafter until his death his valiant and cheerful spirit gave heart to the wounded. His high example inspired his shipmates and will live in their memory.'
Alfred died of his wounds 18 May 1941 aged 30.
Remembered on Panel 46, Column 2. Portsmouth Naval Memorial.
He was the only Wolverhampton resident to receive the Victoria Cross during the Second World War.
