John William Sayer was born in Islington on 12th April 1879 but spent much of his early life in Chadwell Heath. John was the eldest son of Samuel and Margaret Sayer who ran Wangeyhall Farm, Chadwell Heath, an area which is now on the boundary of the modern London Borough of Redbridge.
Sayer went to school in Ilford, and married Edith Louise Maynard in Ilford Parish Church on 15th August 1904. John and his wife had six children; four daughters and two sons. By the 1911 census John was living in Cricklewood, north-west London where he managed a corn and seed merchant's business, whilst his parents continued to run the farm at Chadwell Heath.
Sayer was 37 when he enlisted with the British Army on 25th July 1916. He was deployed to France in December 1916, as a machine gunner for The Queen’s Royal Regiment (West Surrey), and was promoted to Lance Corporal in the 8th Battalion after an act of exceptional bravery in August 1917.
On 21st March 1918 Sayer’s battalion was part of Operation Michael, in France. Sayer was severely wounded, and the Germans were able to capture him. He was taken to a German field hospital at Le Cateau where, despite receiving treatment for losing his leg, he succumbed to his wounds and died four weeks later on 18th April 1918, aged 39. He was buried in Le Cateau Military Cemetery.
Lieutenant Claude Lorraine Piesse, with Colonel Hugh Chevalier Peirs of the 8th Battalion of The Queen’s Royal Regiment (West Surrey), recommended Lance Corporal John William Sayers to receive a Victoria Cross. Sayer was duly awarded the honour, posthumously, in 1919.
The citation for the award of Sayer's Victoria Cross reads:
"For most conspicuous bravery, determination and ability displayed on the 21st March, 1918, at Le Verguier, when holding for two hours, in face of incessant attacks, the flank of a small isolated post. Owing to mist the enemy approached the post from both sides to within 30 yards before being discovered. Lance-Corporal Sayer, however, on his own initiative and without assistance, beat off a succession of flank attacks and inflicted heavy casualties on the enemy. Though attacked by rifle and machine-gun fire, bayonet and bombs, he repulsed all attacks, killing many and wounding others. During the whole time he was continuously exposed to rifle and machine-gun fire, but he showed the utmost contempt of danger and his conduct was an inspiration to all. His skilful use of fire of all descriptions enabled the post to hold out till nearly all the garrison had been killed and himself wounded and captured. He subsequently died as a result of wounds at Le Cateau." (London Gazette, 9 June 1919)
Edith Sayer received her husband's Victoria Cross medal at Buckingham Palace from King George V on 16th November 1919.
Although John William Sayer is not commemorated on any memorial with Redbridge he and he family lived in Redbridge for quite a considerable time. He is commemorated on the memorial at St Chad’s Church in Chadwell Heath, which lies within the London Borough of Barking and Dagenham.
Research by Redbridge Museum
Sources:
Ancestry
Commonwealth War Graves Commission