UNFADING GLORY.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XXXV, Issue 8313, 4 December 1915, Page 4

UNFADING GLORY.

FOUR OFFICERS AND SERGEANT AWARDED V.C.

" The Victoria Cross k hard to get in this war," said a soldier whose gallantry .had won him the Distinguished Conduct Medal. But there are office.s and men, some of whom, alas, will never wear the distinction, whose amazing bravery has thrilled the world and placed them in the ranks of the greatest heroes in history. Five have been added to the roll this week, for feats accomplished in the West and East theatres. Major George Godfrey Massy Wheeler, late 7th Harlana Lancers, Indian Army, won the V.C. for most conspicuous bravery at Shaiba, Mesopotamia. On April 12, 1915, Major \Vheeler asked permission to take out his squadron and attempt to capture a flag, which was the centre point "of a group of the enemy who were firing on one of our picquets. He advanced and attacked the enemy's infantry with the lance, doing considerable execution among them. He then, retired, white the enemy swarmed out of hidden ground and-formed an excellent target to our Royal Hoi-se Artillery guns. On April 12, '1915, Major Wheeler led his squadron to • attacks of the -north mount. He was seen far ahead of his men riding single-handed straight for the enemy's standards. This gallant officer was killed on the mound. Saved a Critical SttuatFan. The decoration was awarded Captain j Cierald Robert O'Sullivon, Ist Battalion j Roy ill Xuniskilling Fusiliers, for most conspicuous bravery during operations; south-west of Ivrithia. on the t>:iili-j poli Peninsula, ,on the night of July! 1-2. 1915", when it- wus essential that a portion of the trench which had been lost should bo regained. Captain O'Sullivan, though not belonging to the troops at this point, volunteered to lead a party of bomb-throwers to effect the recapture. He advanced in the open under a very heavy fire, and in order to throw his bombs with greater effect got up on the parapet, where he was completely exposed to the fire of the enemy occupying the trejieh.* Be wus linally wounded, but not before his inspiring example had led on his party to make further efforts^ which resulted in the recapture of the trench. On 'the night of June 18-19, 1915, Captain O'Sullivan saved a critical situation in the srime locality by his great personal gnllniitry and good, leading.

Fa:- m-.'st conspicuous bravery in the trenches liclwMi Caiuhrai and La Bassvo on August 'A, 1915,' SecondLii'iMcTiani (.Vrrge Arthur Boyd Ttoeh- . i'onl. Sooci-'tl 'Reserves, Ist Battalion Scots CiiianN, lias been added to the roll of V.C.- winners. At 2 a.m. a German trench mortar bomb landed on the side of -the parapet of a- communication trench in which ho stood, close to a small -working party of his battalion. Ho might*-.easily have stopped hack a few yards round the corner into perfect; safety, but', shouting to his men to look out, he rushed at the bomb, seized it, and hurled it over the parapot, where it at- once exploded. There is no doubt that this splendid combination" of presence of mind and courage saved the lives of many of the working party. Held Enemy Single- Handled. The work for which Second-Lieuten-ant Herbert James, -Ith Battalion Worcestershire Regiment, was awarded the V.C. wa.s performed during operations iv the southern zone of the Gallipoli Peninsula on June 28, 1915. When a portion of a regiment had been checked owing to all the officers being put out of action, Second Lieutenant James, who belonged to n neighbouring unit, entirely on his own initiative, gathered together a body of men and led them forward under a heavy shell and rifle fire. Ho then returned, organised a second party, and again, advanced. His gallant example put fresh life into the attack., .On' July 3, in the same locality, Second-Lieutenant. .Tames headed • a party of bomb-throwers up a Turkish communication trench, find after 7ierirly all his bomb-throwers had been killed or wounded he remained alone at I the head of the trench and kept litKthe enemy single-handed till a. Mrvior had been built behind him and the trench .secured. He w.is throughout exposed to a. murderous fire Bombed the Turks. I Sergeant James Sonierv Ist Battalion Royal Inniskilhng Fu-,;li<u\s, the only ii.0.0. in the list-. He displayed most conspicuous bravery on the night of July 1-2, 1015, in the southern koiu> of the Gallipoli 'Peninsula, when, owing to hostile bombing, some of our'troops had retired from a sap. Sergeant Somens remained alone on the spot until a party brought up bombs. He then climbed over into the Turkish trench, and bombed the Turks with great effect. Later on he advanced into the open under heavy fire, and held back the enemy by throwing bomb-a into their Hank until a barricade had been { established. During: this period he frequently ran to and from our tranches to obtain fresh supplies of bombs. By hi-s gallantry and cool ness Sergeant fciomors was largely histrnmontn] in j : oiFcet-ing the recapture of. :'t portion of"). I our trench which had been lost. ; i