30967. 12487

NINTH SUPPLEMENT TO of FRIDA Y, the 18th of OCTOBER, 1918

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TUESDAY, 22 OCTOBER, 1918.

War Office, No. 4/400 Sjt. Samuel Forsyth, late N.Z. October, 1918. Engrs. His Majesty the KING has been graciously For most conspicuous bravery and devo- pleased to approve of the award of the Victoria tion to duty in attack. Cross to the undermentioned Non-commis- On nearing the objective, his company sioned Officers and Men : — came under heavy machine-gun fire. Through .Sjt. Forsyth's dashing leadership No. 358 Sjt. Thomas James Harris, M.M., and total disregard.of danger, three machine- lateR.W. R. (Lower Hailing, Kent). gun 'positions were rushed and the crews For most conspicuous bravery and devo- taken prisoner before they could inflict many tion to duty in attack when the advance was casualties on our troops. much impeded by hostile machine guns con- During subsequent advance his company cealed in crops and shell-holes. Sjt. Harris came under heavy fire from several machine led his section against one of these, capturing guns, two of which he located by a daring it and killing seven of the enemy. reconnaissance. In his endeavour to gain Later, on two successive occasions, he support from a Tank, he was wounded, but attacked single-handed two enemy machine- after having the wound bandaged, he again guns which were causing heavy casualties got in touch with the Tank, which, in the and holding up the advance. He captured face of very heavy fire from machine guns the first gun and killed the crew, but was and anti-Tank guns, he endeavoured to lead himself killed when attacking the second one. with magnificent coolness to a favourable It was largely due to the great courage position. 'The Tank, however, was put out and initiative of this gallant N.C.O. that of action. the advance of the battalion was continued Sjt. Forsyth then organised the Tank crew without delay and undue casualties. and several of his men into a section, and Throughout the operations he showed a total led them to a position where the machine disregard for his own personal safety, and guns could be outflanked. Always under set a magnificent example to all ranks. heavy fire, he directed them into positions 12488 SUPPLEMENT TO THE LONDON GAZETTE, 22 OCTOBER, 1918.

which, brought about a retirement of the force, he rushed forward on his own initia- •enemy machine guns and enabled the tive to help the forward line, rallying and advance to continue. This gallant N.C.O. controlling the men holding it. The enemy was at that moment killed by a sniper. by this time were advancing quickly, and had From the commencement of the attack already obtained a footing in the trench. until the time of his death Sjt. Forsyth's Sjt. Colley then formed a defensive flank courage and coolness, combined with great and held it. Out of the two platoons only power of initiative, proved an invaluable in- three men remained unwounded, and he centive to all who were with him, and -he himself was dangerously wounded. It was entirely due to Sjt. Colley's action undoubtedly saved many casualties among 1 his comrades. that the enemy were prevented from break- ing through, and were eventually driven off. No. 51396 Cpl. (L./fijt.) Edward Smith, His courage and tenacity saved a very critical D.C.M., Lan. Fus. (Maryport). situation. For most conspicuous bravery, leadership and personal example during an attack and No. 28930 Pte. (Piper) James Richardson, in subsequent operations. late Manitoba R. Sjt. iSmith while in command of a platoon For most conspicuous bravery and devo- personally took a machine-gun post, rushing tion to duty when, prior to attack, he the garrison with his rifle and bayonet. The obtained permission from his Commanding enemy on seeing him advance scattered to Oifice'r to play his company " over the top." throw hand grenades at him. Regardless of As the company approached the objective, all danger, and almost without halting in his it was held up by very strong wire and came rush on the .post, this N.C.O. shot and under intense fire, which caused heavy casu- killed at least six of the enemy. Later, alties and demoralised the formation for the seeing another platoon requiring assistance, moment. Realising the situation, Piper he led his men to them, took command of Richardson strode up and down outside the the situation and captured the objective. wire, playing his pipes with the greatest During the .enemy counter-attack on the coolness. The effect was instantaneous. following day he led a section forward and Inspired by his splendid example, the com- restored a portion of the line. His personal pany rushed the wire with such fury and bravery, skill and initiative were outstand- determination that the obstacle was overcome ing, and his conduct throughout exemplified and the position captured. magnificent courage and skill, and was an Later, after participating in bombing inspiring example to all. operations, he was detailed to take back a wounded comrade and prisoners. No. 40684 Pte. (A./Sjt.) Harold John After proceeding about 200 yards Piper Colley, M.M., late Lan. Fus. (Smethwick). Richardson remembered that he had left his For most conspicuous bravery and initia- pipes behind. Although strongly urged not tive when in command of a platoon in to do so, he insisted on returning to recover support of forward platoons which had been his pipes. He has never teen seen since, ordered to hold on at all costs. o and death has been presumed accordingly When the enemy counter-attacked in owing to lapse of time.

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