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Lieutenant Eugene Bennett, 2nd Bn. Transloy Ridges, the
Somme, 5th November 1916. |
| Despite
having been dazed by a shell-burst, he dashed through heavy
shell and machine-gun fire to rally a company which had been
pinned down. The rest of the Battalion followed and the whole
objective was secured. |
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Lieutenant (acting Captain) John Crowe, 2nd Bn. Neuve
Eglise, 14th April 1918.
When two platoons and Battalion HQ were surrounded and unlikely
to be able to hold out much longer, he volunteered to lead a
sortie to try and clear a way for a retreat. He and two of his
men stalked two enemy machine-guns, rushed and captured them
and enabled the small beleaguered garrison to withdraw -
go to listing. |
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Private Frederick Dancox, 4th Bn. Poelcappelle, Ypres,
9th October 1917.
When the Battalion was held up by a machine-gun, he crept through
shell-holes to reach the back of the blockhouse. Bomb in hand,
he ordered the crew to surrender and go to the British lines.
He returned to dismantle their gun and carried it back -
go to listing. |
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Lieutenant-Colonel (acting Brigadier) George Grogan,
1st Bn and temporary commander 23rd Brigade. Aisne, 29th May
1918. |
| For most
of three days of desperate fighting he commanded the remnants
of a Division and on the third day, with complete disregard
for his own safety, he rode up and down the line on a horse,
under heavy fire of all sorts, encouraged his men and reorganised
and led back those who began to retreat -
go to listing. |
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Second Lieutenant Herbert James, 4th Bn. Krithia, Gallipoli,
3rd July 1915.
When a battalion to one side had lost most of its officers he
gathered a body of men and led them forward under heavy fire,
then organised and led forward a second party. Later, when in
command of a party of bombers, he held a Turkish communication
trench alone, until a barrier had been built and the wounded
cleared away from behind him -
go to listing. |
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Second Lieutenant Edgar Myles, Welch Regiment attached
to 9th Bn. Sannaiyat, Mesopotamia, 9th April 1916. |
| Following
a night attack and enemy counter-attack many dead and wounded
lay between the lines. Several brave attempts were made to help
the wounded and Lieutenant Myles dashed out a number of times
to bring in wounded men, staggering in with the last despite
having been wounded himself -
go to listing. |
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Lieutenant Willaim Leefe-Robinson, attached to Royal Flying
Corps. Over Cuffley, Essex, 2/3rd September 1916.
While engaged on night flying defence duties against zeppelins
over London. After being on patrol for two hours he spotted
an airship, the Shutte-Lanz SL-11, and pressed his attack home
with great courage. The airship burst into flames and crashed
- the first one to be shot down over England.-
go to listing. |
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Private Thomas Turrall, 10th Bn. La Boiselle, the Somme,
3rd July 1916.
When a small bombing attack was caught by enemy machine-gun
fire, the officer commanding it was badly wounded. Turrall dragged
him into a shell-hole, gave what first-aid he could, and then
protected the officer for three hours despite being under heavy
attack by machine-guns and bombers. After the last attack, he
feigned death, and then that night made his way back through
the lines carrying his officer with him -
go to listing. |
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Captain (temporary Major and acting Lieutenant-Colonel) Frank
Roberts. Pargny, Somme, 23rd March 1918. |
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twelve days he showed particular courage, skill, endurance and
energy. One night, when the enemy had almost cleared a village
of British troops, he gathered a party of men and led a counter-attack
which drove the Germans out and thus covered the retirement
of flanking troops - go to
listing. |
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Lieutenant Edmund Wedgbury, 1/8th Bn, later Gloucestershire
Regiment attached to 1/8th Bn. Various actions 1915-18.
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went to France in 1915 and rose steadily through the ranks.
As a Sergeant he was awarded the Military Medal and the Distinguished
Conduct Medal. As an officer, he won first the Military Cross,
and finally the Distinguished Service Order when in October
1918 he led a counter attack, advancing with only 17 men 3 miles
behind enemy lines and capturing three German howitzers, five
officers and 156 men. He is the only British soldier ever to
win all four of these medals, and the only one to win four separate
British gallantry medals -
go to listing. |
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Awang Anak Rawang, Iban Scout attached to 10 Platoon,
'D' Company, 1st Bn. Malaya, 27th May 1951. |
| While
patrolling in the jungle, 10 Platoon was ambushed by around
50 Communist bandits. Two men were killed and Awang and Private
Hughes were wounded. Awang had been shot through the thigh,
but managed drag Private Hughes into cover. He then defended
Hughes and himself as the bandits moved in to finish them off.
Eventually Awang was shot again, shattering his right arm. He
then took a grenade in his left hand, held it up and dared the
bandits to come and try to kill them. At this the bandits withdrew.
Awang, despite his severe wounds, had held off their attacks
for 40 minutes, and saved Hughes' life. For this he was awarded
the George Cross, the civilian version of the V.C -
go to listing. |
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