Part 15

CAULINCOURT, 21st to 27th March, 1918. For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. During a withdrawal this officer volunteered to go forward and locate the enemy position, returning with valuable information. Some days later he showed great coolness under heavy fire, encouraging his men and leading a counter-attack with great dash. He held on till forced to withdraw for want of ammunition.

DAVIES, Lieut. Henry 6/Royal Welch Fusiliers

SAPIGNIES--BITHUCOURT 1918. For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty in action. In every phase of the fighting he led his men in a most splendid manner. His tireless energy and courage under heavy fire and in critical circumstances were most praiseworthy.

DAVIES, 2/Lt. Thomas Talvin 4/Welch

BOURLON WOOD, 23rd November, 1917. For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. When his company had reached their objective he heard that men of another battalion on his left were in difficulties. Collecting a few men he went to their assistance, and by pushing forward enabled them to continue their advance. Returning to his company he repeatedly led his men forward and did much to bring the heavy enemy counter-attacks to a standstill. He showed splendid coolness and initiative.

DAVIES, Lieut. Tudor Huab R.E.

Awarded 3rd June, 1918.

DAVIS, 2/Lt. Melville Allen Duff 9/K.R.R.C.

YPRES-MENIN ROAD, 21st to 25th August 1917. For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He was in charge of all the carrying and ration parties up to the front line, and carried out his task under very heavy shell fire with great success. During an enemy counter-attack, when bombs were urgently needed in the front line, he led a carrying party with bombs up a road under an intense barrage. He also took command of his company, reorganised them and brought them out successfully.

DAVIS, 2/Lt. Ralph Leicester

GUEUDECOURT, 25th September, 1916. He led his men in the attack with great courage and initiative. Later he ran along the parapet under heavy fire to give instructions for the consolidation, and set a splendid example.

DAVIS, Capt. Richard Nevill 2/Leicester

MONTNOIR, 17th April, 1918. For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty during an enemy attack. He kept the situation well in hand during the temporary absence of his commanding officer, and ensured the right flank of his battalion being thrown back so as to enable the front positions to be maintained. He continually sent back information as to the situation. His work has been splendid, and his coolness under fire most noticeable.

DAVIS, 2/Lt. Thomas Henry Clifford R.F.A.

SAVERNAKE WOOD, 18th September, 1916. When his O.P. was blown in and himself wounded he remained and dressed a severely-wounded telephonist and brought him in. On another occasion he sent back valuable information and carried out a daring reconnaissance.

BAR TO M.C.

DEMICOURT, 22nd November, 1917. For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. Whilst reconnoitring a position for a forward observation post, accompanied only by an orderly, he encountered a party of sixteen of the enemy, all of whom he brought into our lines as prisoners. He continually showed the greatest gallantry and enterprise.

DAWE, 2/Lt. Sidney Charles 5/Lincoln

CROISILLES-HENIN ROAD, 31st March, 1917. He led his platoon in the most gallant manner, and inflicted heavy casualties on the enemy. Later, although wounded, he remained at his post until the position was consolidated.

DAWSON, 2/Lt. Frederick Albert 8/East Surrey

POELCAPPELLE, 12th October, 1917. Shortly after the attack was launched the leading platoons of his company were held up by intense machine-gun fire. He pushed on and, in conjunction with his company commander, made great efforts to carry forward the attack. After his company commander became a casualty, he took command of the company and some men of another division, and again attempted to renew the attack.

DAY, Lieut. John Percival 9/Rifle Brigade

DELVILLE WOOD, 19th to 30th August, 1916. He twice carried out difficult and dangerous reconnaissances, and on one occasion led a successful bombing attack with great skill and courage.

DEATON, 2/Lt. Albert Joseph 6/Gloucester

ST. JULIEN, 16th August, 1917. In an attack he led his platoon with great dash and judgment. When held up by machine-gun fire he got his Lewis gun into action at once, silenced the hostile gun and charged the position. He inflicted considerable losses on the enemy by his prompt action.

DEBONO, Lieut. George Peter 5/Royal Berks

E. of ARRAS, 9th April, 1917. He showed great courage and ability when commanding his company. He led them against an enemy battery, capturing it and many prisoners. He set a fine example throughout.

DEER, Lieut. John Hartley K.R.R.C.

N. of KEMMEL, 11th August, 1918. For conspicuous gallantry and determination. He held on to the post of which he was in command, though entirely surrounded by the enemy, who were eventually repelled with heavy casualties. It was chiefly owing to his courage and tenacity that the flank of the battalion was maintained intact.

DE LANDRE-GROGAN, Lieut. Leon Victor St. Patrick 1(5)York & Lancaster

Near GAVRELLE (N. of ARRAS) on the night of September 22/23, 1918. For conspicuous gallantry and good leadership during a successful minor operation. He led his platoon against an enemy trench and successfully cleared it and carried out consolidation. The following night the enemy counter-attacked in force but were driven off with loss. The success of the operation was greatly due to his able leadership and fine example to his men.

DEVEREUX, 2/Lt. Richard Harding Frank 10/Rifle Brigade

Awarded 1st January, 1917.

DICKMAN, 2/Lt. Henry Alderman 167th A. T. Coy., R.E.

Awarded 1st January, 1919.

DIXON, Lieut. Alfred Chessington 11/Tank Corps

Awarded 3rd June, 1919.

DONALDSON, 2/Lt. Alfred James 9/Royal West Kent

Near KLEIN ZILLEBEKE, 31st July and 1st August, 1917. For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. During two days of severe fighting he made journeys under heavy fire to maintain touch with the battalions on the flanks and with the front line. He also reconnoitred and laid out the assembly area under fire and guided the companies to their tapes.

DORE, 2/Lt. William Charles Henry Labour Corps

CAESTRE, 2nd December, 1917. For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He showed the greatest coolness and determination in his handling of his men in a most difficult situation.

DORRINGTON, 2/Lt. Stanley Flowers 3/Northampton

GAZA, 2nd November, 1917. For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He displayed conspicuous courage and skill in the capture of a post, and, when compelled to withdraw, he successfully extricated his platoon across a shell-swept area. His dashing example was beyond all praise.

DOUGLAS, 2/Lt. George Frederick R.E.

S. of ST. JULIEN, 8th September, 1917. For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty when in charge of gas projectors emplaced in a very exposed position. A hostile barrage being put down on and behind the projector emplacements he distributed his men in shell holes, and, without calling for any assistance from them, himself completed the final connections. Withholding his fire until the appointed time he fired four out of the five batteries, only returning to cover after having assured himself that all the projectors had fired. This involved careful and cool-headed work in a very exposed position and under exceptionally heavy fire.

DOWDEN, 2/Lt. Henry James 312th Brigade, R.F.A.

HAVRINCOURT, 18th September, 1918. For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. In response to a S.O.S., this officer at once got all the guns into action, and maintained a quick rate of fire in spite of heavy barrage. He fired one gun himself until the detachment was collected, and then assisted to bind up a wounded officer.

DOWSON, Lieut. Sydney Houghton 1/Royal Warwick

Awarded 1st January, 1919.

DOYLE, Lieut. Algernon Gordon 123rd Field Coy., R.E.

Near MONTAY, 15/16 October, 1918. For conspicuous gallantry and determination in connection with bridging the RIVER SELLE. On the night of 15/16 he took measurements of the river to enable a tank bridge to be made. On the 16th he prepared the necessary materials for the bridge, and that night worked for nine hours breast-deep in the water under heavy shell and machine-gun fire and sniping. When approaching daylight forced him to stop work, he had, by twenty-three hours’ continuous work under most trying conditions, ensured the success of the scheme. He continued the work during the next two nights, and the bridge was satisfactorily completed twenty-four hours before zero. His bridging work proved of great value in the attack on the 20th.

DRAKEFORD, Capt. Herbert 7/Liverpool

HOUPLINES, 15/16 July, 1917. For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty during a determined hostile raid upon our front line. He organised a post for defence, and succeeded in beating off a strong party of the enemy from both front and rear. He then visited all the front line positions in his sector under an intense barrage, during which he killed one of the enemy and obtained identifications.

DUCKWORTH, 2/Lt. John Edwin Hardie 7/Worcester (16/Devon)

Near RONSSOY, 18th September, 1918. For conspicuous gallantry and initiative when he led the attack splendidly and was the first man on the objective between TOINE WOOD and ORCHARD POST. At one period he got considerably in advance of the main force but still pushed on. Without the courageous example set by this officer it is doubtful whether this position would have been taken at the time. One hundred prisoners and a machine gun were captured in this sector alone. During consolidation, with a Welsh officer he crawled round a machine gun which was still firing and rounded it up. He and his party were also responsible for the capture of an enemy field gun.

DUDLEY, 2/Lt. Arnold Tiffany 3/Yorks

HILL 60, 7th June, 1917. For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty in leading his company successfully when all the other officers had become casualties. He showed great judgment in his selection of strong points for the defence, and set a fine example to his men of coolness under heavy shell fire. Although wounded, he remained in command for 36 hours.

DUNBAR, Capt. Sir Archibald Edward, Bart. 12/West Yorks

BAZENTIN-LE-GRAND, 14th July, and LONGUEVAL, 23rd July, 1916. He led his company in the attack with great dash, and skilfully consolidated his position. During a later attack he handled his company with great skill under heavy shell fire. He has set a fine example.

DUNKERTON, Lieut. Edmund Lloyd Hain 5/York & Lancaster

BOURLON WOOD, 27th November, 1917. For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He led his platoon against a village under heavy fire. After his company commander had been wounded, he took command of the company, and three times went through a heavy barrage to reorganise his men. When the line had given way, he led his men forward again and saved a critical situation. He set a splendid example of determination and resource.

BAR TO M.C.

STEENWERCK, 11th April, 1918. For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He led his company in a successful attack on houses filled with enemy snipers and machine guns. Having gained his objective, he took charge of and successfully led another company who had lost all their officers. By his fine example of courage and good leadership he contributed largely to the success of the attack.

DURRANT, Major Reginald Tom 223rd Brigade, R.F.A.

Awarded 1st January, 1919.

DURUTY, 2/Lt. Charles Eric 10/Royal Warwick

S. of BOIS DE BEIZ, 21st September, 1918. For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. After two companies detailed for an attack had reached their objective, communication with them except by runner was impossible for some time. During this period this officer, as Battalion Intelligence Officer, despite artillery barrage, very heavy machine-gun fire and numerous snipers, on two separate occasions carried out personal reconnaissances as far as the forward occupied posts, bringing back much valuable information to his commanding officer. He has on very many occasions carried out exceptionally valuable patrol work both by day and night.

DUTHIE, 2/Lt. Donald James 6/Royal Warwick

Awarded 1st January, 1918.

DUTTON, Lieut. Wilfred Joseph 4/Gloucester

AVE, on the ASIAGO PLATEAU, 23/24 October, 1918. In a night raid he led his company with conspicuous gallantry, quickly overcoming all enemy resistance and capturing fifty prisoners and three machine guns. By his personal example of courage and determination he contributed very largely to the success gained by his company.

DUXBURY, 2/Lt. Andrew Marshall 6/Oxford & Bucks L.I.

Awarded 1st January, 1918.

DYKES, 2/Lt. Oswald R.F.A.

BERTHANCOURT, 18th September, and FRESNOY, 24th September, 1918. For conspicuous gallantry and resource while in command of his battery, which was subjected to very heavy hostile fire and gas shelling, severe casualties being caused to personnel and equipment, in spite of which operations were successfully carried out.

EDE, 2/Lt. Edwin William 5/Royal Fusiliers

E. of HANGARD, 2nd April, 1918. For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty while commanding a company in attack. He showed great coolness and determination under very heavy fire, and got his Lewis gun into action to counter the enemy machine guns.

EDGHILL, 2/Lt. Ashley Gay 4/Lancashire Fusiliers

AYETTE, 3rd to 5th April, 1918. For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty while in command of his T.M. Battery during raids on hostile trenches. The attacks were carried out under a Stokes mortar barrage, as artillery could not be used, and were completely successful, resulting in the capture of three machine guns and several prisoners, and causing heavy enemy casualties. He carried out his programme in spite of heavy artillery and machine-gun fire, displaying a fearless devotion to duty which greatly inspired his men.

EDMINSON, Lieut. Leonard Oswald 12/Manchester

Awarded 1st January, 1919.

EDMUNDS, Lieut. John 21/London

BOURLON WOOD, 4/5 December, 1917. For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He remained with another officer and a few men in the front line for four hours after the position had been evacuated. He carried out his task with marked ability, and at the appointed time withdrew without a casualty and without the enemy suspecting that the line had been evacuated.

EDWARDS, 2/Lt. Griffith Oliver 3/Northumberland Fusiliers

HILL 60 Sector, 7/8 June, 1917. For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty in commanding two platoons during an attack. His coolness and cheerfulness under heavy shell fire steadied his men, and later, when sent up to reinforce, he did so with great promptness and exactitude.

EDWARDS, Capt. William Howell 11/Royal Welch Fusiliers

Near MONTAY, 20th October, 1918. In the attack he showed conspicuous gallantry as adjutant. Under constant machine-gun fire he made the preliminary arrangements for the assembly of the battalion east of the RIVER SELLE. It was largely due to his skill that the battalion was able to assemble so close to the first objective without enemy knowledge.

EGLINGTON, Lieut. Dudley Charles 2/Royal Highlanders (R.F.C.)

LILLE, 20th May, 1917. For conspicuous gallantry and devotion when acting as an observer. In the course of a fight with several Albatross scouts, in which he shot down one, the pilot was wounded and fell over the control lever insensible, causing the machine to dive with the engine full on. He climbed out, standing outside the fuselage on the lower plane, dragged the pilot back, and, switching off the engine, pulled the machine out of its dive. Not being a trained pilot, his act exhibited great fearlessness and skill.

EILOART, 2/Lt. Ferdinand Robert R.G.A.

Awarded 3rd June, 1918.

ELKINGTON, Lieut. Howard George 21/London

DESSART RIDGE--BAZENTIN WOOD, 21st March, 1918. For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty in command of a company, especially during difficult withdrawals, when his coolness and courage were pre-eminent. At one critical moment he hastily reorganised and established a defensive flank, which gave time for a new position to be taken up in rear.

ELLEN, Lieut. Walter 8/Royal Sussex

Awarded 3rd June, 1919.

ELLIOTT, Lieut. Alfred Ernest Thomas 10/London (1/Artists)

MOEUVRES, 27th September, 1918. By conspicuous gallantry and determination he led his company to their objective, when he pushed forward and allowed companies in rear to consolidate. By his determination and fine example he held a most important point during a very critical period in the fight in spite of fierce opposition, and later rendered invaluable assistance to troops on his flanks by giving them information and enabling them to continue the attack.

ELLIOTT, 2/Lt. Arthur Godfrey Grenadier Guards

BOURSIES, 3rd September, 1918. For conspicuous gallantry during an attack. Having obtained his objective with his company, he at once pushed forward patrols to the next tactical feature, thereby enabling the advance of the battalion to be expedited. Later, during consolidation of a position, he displayed the greatest coolness and devotion to duty under heavy gas shelling, and, though gassed himself, remained at duty until three out of his four platoons had established themselves.

ELLIOTT, Lieut. Ernest Edward 9/Royal West Surrey

HAMEL, 26th to 28th March, 1918. During three days’ operations, he carried out a valuable reconnaissance under direct machine-gun fire. Though twice wounded he refused to withdraw, but remained with his men and continued to render valuable service until the battalion was relieved. His coolness under fire was a splendid example to his men.

ELLIS, 2/Lt. Joe 13/East Yorks

Near ALEXANDROVO, 8/9 June, 1919. For marked gallantry and devotion to duty. Although the Russian flanking party had withdrawn, he attempted to rush a hostile post with eight men. On 15th June, with a patrol of 12 other ranks, he kept up a running fight for three hours with an enemy patrol about 100 strong. A splendid leader, who can always get the best out of his men.

ELLIS, 2/Lt. Reginald Donald Durham L.I.

Awarded 4th June, 1917.

ELLIS, Lieut. Robert R.A.M.C.

Awarded 4th June, 1917.

ELLIS, 2/Lt. Shirley Duncan 173rd Tunnelling Co., R.E.

DOUBLE CRASSIER, 12th March, 1916. For conspicuous gallantry when rescuing, under very heavy shell-fire, some men who had become imprisoned in an old mine. At the first three attempts to reach them he was driven back by heavy fire.

ELTON, Capt. Herbert Sauzier 2/London

In FRANCE, 21st to 27th March, 1918. For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty as battalion reconnaissance officer. On many occasions he was ordered to lead Tanks to their starting-points over very difficult ground, and always succeeded. He also displayed wonderful courage and initiative on the battlefield in obtaining information from neighbouring infantry and carrying orders to isolated Tanks. His services were invaluable throughout the operations.

ELVY, Major Leslie Thomas 13/London

Awarded 1st January, 1919.

EVANS, 2/Lt. Bernard Scott 4/Royal West Surrey

FONTAINE, 23rd April, 1917. He led his platoon with great courage and coolness. By his splendid leading he was mainly responsible for the success of the advance, during which 500 prisoners were taken. Though wounded in the head, he stuck to his work.

EVANS, 2/Lt. Douglas William 10/London

ST. QUENTIN, 21/22 March, 1918. For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. When his four guns were early put out of action, he took charge of two guns of another section and repelled many enemy assaults and assisted the infantry to hold the line. He showed great coolness and skill in the use of his guns.

EVANS, Lieut. Hugh Elwyn 5/Yorks

Awarded 3rd June, 1918.

EVANS, 2/Lt. Thomas Evander 11/Royal Welch Fusiliers

SALONIKA, 27/28 March, 1917. When in command of a patrol he encountered a much stronger hostile party, which attempted to ambush and surround him. He at once attacked, and inflicted severe loss on the enemy. He handled his patrol with great ability and coolness throughout, setting a very fine example of courage and resource.

BAR TO M.C.

MORTHO WOOD, near VILLERS OUTREAUX, 8th October, 1918. He showed great gallantry and devotion to duty during the attack. On reaching the enemy wire he went forward to try and find gaps, and though badly wounded while doing so, remained at duty till daylight, when he organised his platoon and continued the advance until obliged by his wound to go back. He set a fine example of courage and determination.

EVANS, 2/Lt. Thomas Kelvin 3/Northumberland Fusiliers

VIEUX BERQUIN, 7th August, 1918. He made a reconnaissance in advance of a patrol which was held up by machine-gun fire from two points. By working close up he was able to locate the exact position of these guns. He further located two machine-gun posts further behind, from which our men were being sniped, and again two more posts from which a machine gun was captured. He was out for nearly four hours, most of the time behind the enemy’s posts. He displayed conspicuous gallantry and skill.

EWEN, 2/Lt. Henry Spencer 23/London

W. of GRAINCOURT, 8th December, 1917. For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He organised and supervised the construction of a communication trench under heavy shell fire. Though he was twice badly shaken by bursting shells, he showed great courage and disregard of danger, and encouraged his men, when casualties were caused among them, by his splendid example.

FAGAN, 2/Lt. Herbert Archer 5/Yorks

W. of WANCOURT, 23rd April, 1917. He took a party and, working down a trench, cleared the enemy machine guns which were holding up the attack. The same night, under heavy barrage, he went down to headquarters and reported on the situation.

BAR TO M.C.

Near FONTAINE-LES-CROISILLES, 26th June, 1917. When in command of supports he crawled 300 yards on two occasions across the open at great personal risk to gain touch with the attacking company, which was completely isolated. He brought back information of the greatest value to battalion headquarters by this energetic and gallant action.

FAIRBAIRN, Capt. George Henry 9/Rifle Brigade

FLAVY-LE-MARTEL, 23rd March, 1918. For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. When his commanding officer had become a casualty he took charge of the battalion, and proved himself a capable leader under the most trying circumstances. He held on to positions to the last moment, retiring last himself and rallying the remains of his battalion.

FAIRBAIRN, 2/Lt. William Frank 5/York & Lancaster

Near PASSCHENDAELE, 9th October, 1917. For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty when in command of his company, after all the other officers had been killed or wounded. He made a defensive flank to join up with troops on our left, and showed great powers of command under trying circumstances.

FAIRBAIRNS, Lieut. Reginald Holland R.A.S.C. (M.G.C.)

GUEUDECOURT, 25th September, 1916. Although wounded he led the first wave of the attack with great courage and determination. Later, when again wounded, he tried to continue, but his wounds prevented him.

FAIRTLOUGH, Capt. Gerard Howard R.E.

DEMUIN, 30th March, 1918. For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. During recent operations, when the enemy pressed back the troops on the right, he collected a party of runners, orderlies and stragglers under heavy machine-gun fire and checked the enemy advance.

FALK, Capt. Cecil Joseph 3/Wilts

E. of NOYELLES, 4th November, 1918. For conspicuous gallantry and initiative during an attack. The officers commanding the two leading companies early became casualties, and the companies became somewhat disorganised. He immediately moved forward his support company, reorganised the line, and reached and consolidated the final objective, commanding all three companies until relieved by the arrival of the C.O. He has done consistent good work.

FARRIMOND, 2/Lt. William 15/Royal Warwick

W. of MERVILLE, 19/20 July, 1918. He brilliantly executed a raid on the enemy’s trenches, his party killing every one of the enemy they met, and he himself accounting for some. He showed great determination and skill, and his daring inspired his party with the utmost confidence.

FEARN, Capt. Cecil Augustus 4/K.O.Y.L.I.

Near AVESNES-LE-SEC, 13th October, 1918. For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He displayed the greatest courage in consolidating, under heavy fire, a position just gained, and, when one of his posts was attacked and casualties occurred, he collected men from a neighbouring post, and re-established the position. His cheerful courage and energy inspired all ranks with confidence.

FERGUSON, 2/Lt. David Gordon 1/East Kent

Awarded 1st January, 1916.

FERGUSON, 2/Lt. James Scott 5/Seaforth Highlanders