Conditions and Terms of Use PREFACE Copyright © Heritage History 2009 The Great War has brought forth many golden deeds of Some rights reserved individual bravery, and some of the more representative and popular exploits are gathered together in the following pages. This text was produced and distributed by Heritage History, an organization While it would not be fair to characterize them as the bravest dedicated to the preservation of classical juvenile history books, and to the deeds, yet we may well rank them as among the finest examples promotion of the works of traditional history authors. of personal courage, devotion to duty, and self-sacrificing The books which Heritage History republishes are in the public domain and service that the war has produced. That all who read the are no longer protected by the original copyright. They may therefore be reproduced following pages may be thrilled with a deeper sense of the within the United States without paying a royalty to the author. matchless heroism displayed on land and sea and in air by the men of our breed, and be stimulated to better lives and worthier The text and pictures used to produce this version of the work, however, are the property of Heritage History and are licensed to individual users with some service, is the object of the writer. He has aimed at telling in restrictions. These restrictions are imposed for the purpose of protecting the integrity these simple, straightforward chapters the undying stories of the of the work itself, for preventing plagiarism, and for helping to assure that heroes who have won the Victoria Cross in the Great War, and compromised or incomplete versions of the work are not widely disseminated. believes that for young people in particular the stimulus gained by reading these tales may be of permanent value in life. It only In order to preserve information regarding the origin of this text, a copyright by the author, and a Heritage History distribution date are included at the foot of remains to add that while much of the material has been gained every page of text. We request all electronic and printed versions of this text include from the columns of the Press, some of the stories have been these markings and that users adhere to the following restrictions. written from independent sources, some from material supplied by the heroes themselves. A number of the incidents narrated 1) This text may be reproduced for personal or educational purposes as long as here appeared in serial form in the Vivid War Weekly, published the original copyright and Heritage History version number are faithfully reproduced. by the Amalgamated Press, Limited, to whom the writer acknowledges his best thanks for permission to make use of 2) You may not alter this text or try to pass off all or any part of it as your own certain portions. work. 3) You may not distribute copies of this text for commercial purposes unless you have the prior written consent of Heritage History. 4) This text is intended to be a faithful and complete copy of the original document. However, typos, omissions, and other errors may have occurred during preparation, and Heritage History does not guarantee a perfectly reliable reproduction. Permission to use Heritage History documents or images for commercial purposes, or more information about our collection of traditional history resources can be obtained by contacting us at [email protected] Original Copyright 1916 by G. A. Leask. 2 Distributed by Heritage History 2009 TABLE OF CONTENTS AUSTRALIA'S FIRST V.C. ........................................................ 4 THE FIRST AIRMAN TO DESTROY A ZEPPELIN ........................ 8 THE DEATHLESS EPIC OF 'L' BATTERY ................................. 10 THE DEEDS OF CORPORAL HOLMES AT LE CATEAU ............. 14 THE UNDYING STORY OF CAPTAIN F. O. GRENFELL............. 17 PRIVATE WILSON, WHO CARRIED OFF A MAXIM GUN ......... 21 CORPRORAL DOBSON OF THE COLDSTREAM GUARDS .......... 24 A GALLANT CAMERONIAN'S THRILLING RESCUE ................. 27 THE DRUMMER BOY WHO TOOK COMMAND ....................... 30 LIEUTENANT LEAKE, THE MAN WHO WON TWO V.C.S ....... 32 HOW A BRAVE BANDSMAN RESCUED AN OFFICER .............. 34 THE IMMORTAL DEED OF SERGEANT O'LEARY .................... 37 TEN HEROES OF NEUVE CHAPELLE ...................................... 40 OUR CANADIAN V.C. HEROES .............................................. 49 THE TWO HEROES OF HILL 60 .............................................. 52 THE TERRITORIAL WHO SAVED THE BATTLE OF YPRES ....... 56 LANCE-CORPORAL KEYWORTH'S EXPLOIT ........................... 59 THE BRAVEST RESCUE OF THE WAR .................................... 62 YOUNG NAVAL OFFICERS IN A SUBMARINE ......................... 65 SOME INDIAN V C. HEROES .................................................. 69 A TROOPER WHO DRAGGED A COMRADE TO SAFETY .......... 74 HEROES OF THE BATTLE OF LOOS ......................................... 77 SERGEANT O'LEARY AT LA BASSEE Original Copyright 1916 by G. A. Leask. 3 Distributed by Heritage History 2009 as mere "scraps of paper," and small nations trampled under CHAPTER I foot. Britain reluctantly but unflinchingly drew the sword to uphold the right, and in so doing stood as a lion in the Kaiser's path. Not only did the people of Great Britain and Ireland spring AUSTRALIA'S FIRST V.C. to arms to uphold the nation's honour, but immediately war was declared our Colonies loyally and generously came to our aid. It Every one is familiar with the little bronze Maltese cross, was the War Lord's foolish dream that the scattered British to gain which the brave soldiers and sailors of the British Empire Empire, of which he was so jealous, would never stand together will readily risk life or limb. in a great world-crisis. He imagined that the ties that bound the The famous Victoria Cross was instituted by Queen Colonies to the Motherland were frail and would be sundered by Victoria on January 29, 1856, after the termination of the the blast of such a storm as was now to test them. Herein he was Crimean War. The medal is of little intrinsic value, but it stands mistaken, as we all know. Australia, New Zealand, Canada, for so much. In the centre is the Royal crown, surmounted by the South Africa, and our Indian Empire rose, one and all, to the figure of a lion, and below, on a scroll, are inscribed the simple occasion. words, "For Valour." For the Navy the ribbon is blue, for the Nowhere was patriotism more intense than in Australia. Army red. On the clasp are two branches of laurel, and from the This Colony raised thousands upon thousands of soldiers, paid clasp the cross depends, supported by the initial 'V.' for them, and sent them to fight the Empire's battles wherever It would be an interesting task to describe the wonderful they were needed. Early in the war an Australian contingent deeds that have been done in bygone years by the brave men captured German New Guinea, and the Australian Navy who have been awarded this cross, but the object of the author is destroyed the Emden. Meantime a great host sailed in many to tell the fascinating stories of heroes who have won the V.C. in transports to help to guard Egypt against an expected attack of the greatest conflict of the nations in all history. Concerning the Turks. Among them was Lance-Corporal Jacka, whose great each of the many brave soldiers and sailors whose deeds in the deed in winning the V.C.—the first ever awarded to an Great War have won them the coveted distinction a thrilling Australian—is now to be described. story might be told, but to do this would be to fill a volume Whole chapters could be written about the exploits in larger than is desirable for popular reading. The author has general of these famous Colonial troops. They are splendid therefore confined his attention to outstanding typical instances fighters. They are men who have been used to a hard life. Many of valour, and from his narrative it will be seen that men of all of these 'six-footers' come from the back-blocks, and you can see ranks, of every service, and from all parts of our great dominions from their contempt of danger, their swinging walk, their healthy have won the right to be included in such a list. appearance, that they have been accustomed to an outdoor life, When the Kaiser launched his legions against neutral where dangers and hardships have been ever present. Lance- Belgium, with the object of overwhelming France ere turning to Corporal Jacka is of this type, of whom it has been said: "They smash Russia, he little expected that his act of infamy would are not the sort to stick at anything, and have not been bring him so little gain. The British people, always peace-loving, accustomed to red-tape and orders. If an officer is not handy, always ready to cultivate friendly relationships with all men and they will act without one. And with all their strength and daring all races, could not remain pacific when they saw treaties torn up and dash, they are tender and gentle to women and children." Original Copyright 1916 by G. A. Leask. 4 Distributed by Heritage History 2009 After a spell of useful work and training in Egypt the here is the work of the Australians, and Lance-Corporal Jacka in Australian and New Zealand contingents were shipped to the particular. Dardanelles. The history of this campaign cannot be attempted It was arranged that the Australians should land at a point here, but a few particulars may help readers to understand the between Gaba Tepe and a place known as the Fisherman's Hut. thrilling story we are to relate. While the Turks had made serious preparations to resist at the When war broke out between the Allies and Turkey the former place, they were not so prepared at the latter.