World War I Victoria Cross Recipient. Born in Drayton, Norwich, he served as a Sergeant in the 7th Battalion, East Surry Regiment, British Army. On October 4, 1917, in actions at Ypres, France, Sergeant Cator’s platoon suffered severe casualties from hostile machine-gun and rifle fire. In view of the enemy and under heavy fire, Sergeant Cator with one man, advanced across the open to attack the hostile machine gun. When his comrade was killed, Sergeant Cator continued on picking up a Lewis gun and succeeded in reaching the northern end of the hostile trench. He then noticed one of his bombing parties was held up by another machine gun. Sergeant Cator took up a position and with gun and killed the entire team. He continued to hold that end of the trench with the Lewis gun, which resulted in one hundred prisoners and five machine guns were captured. For most conspicuous bravery, he was awarded the Victoria Cross by King George V at Buckingham Palace on July 21, 1917. In World War II, he was commissioned Captain in the 6th Norfolk Battalion, Home Guard and was a Commandant of a POW camp near Cranwick. He died at age 72 in Norwich, England.
World War I Victoria Cross Recipient. Born in Drayton, Norwich, he served as a Sergeant in the 7th Battalion, East Surry Regiment, British Army. On October 4, 1917, in actions at Ypres, France, Sergeant Cator’s platoon suffered severe casualties from hostile machine-gun and rifle fire. In view of the enemy and under heavy fire, Sergeant Cator with one man, advanced across the open to attack the hostile machine gun. When his comrade was killed, Sergeant Cator continued on picking up a Lewis gun and succeeded in reaching the northern end of the hostile trench. He then noticed one of his bombing parties was held up by another machine gun. Sergeant Cator took up a position and with gun and killed the entire team. He continued to hold that end of the trench with the Lewis gun, which resulted in one hundred prisoners and five machine guns were captured. For most conspicuous bravery, he was awarded the Victoria Cross by King George V at Buckingham Palace on July 21, 1917. In World War II, he was commissioned Captain in the 6th Norfolk Battalion, Home Guard and was a Commandant of a POW camp near Cranwick. He died at age 72 in Norwich, England.
Bio by: John "J-Cat" Griffith
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