POSTHUMOUS V.C.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 56, Issue 101, 10 February 1936, Page 8

POSTHUMOUS V.C.

HERO OF INDIAN FRONTIER, Captain Godfrey Aleynell, AI.C., who fell mortally wounded at the head of his Indian soldiers in a hand-to-hand fight with Mohmand rebels last September, has been awarded the AJctoria Cross—the first new V.C. for fourteen years, only the second time since the war (says the “Daily Express”). Captain Afeynell’s father, BrigadierGeneral Godfrey Meynell, of Aleynell Langley, Derbyshire, received the news on Christmas Eve—in a message from the King. Captain Aleynell was an officer in the sth Battalion (Queen Victoria's Own Corps of Guides) 12th Frontier Force Regiment of the Indian Army. The ‘ London Gazette,” announcing the ALC. award, described the action in these words: “On September 29, 1935, while operating against Mohmand tribesmen in the attack on Point 4080, Captain Aleynell was adjutant of the battalion. In the final phase of the attack the battalion commander was unable to get information from his most forward troops. “Captain Meynell went forward to ascertain the situation, and found the forward troops on the objective, but involved in a struggle against an enemy vastly superior in numbers. “Seeing the situation, he at once took over command of the men in this area. The enemy, by this time, was closing in on the position from three sides. “Captain Aleynell had at his disposal two Lewis guns and about thirty men. Although this party was maintaining heavy and accurate fire on the advancing |p|iemy, the overwhelming numbers of the latter succeeded in reaching the position. Both the Lewis guns were damaged beyond repair, and a fierce hand-to-hand struggle commenced. “During the struggle Captain Aleynell was mortally wounded, and all his men were either killed or wounded. “Throughout the action Captain Aleynell endeavoured by all means to communicate the situation to headquarters, but determined to hold on at all costs and encouraged his men to fight with him to the last. “By so doing he inflicted on the enemy very heavy casualties, which prevented them from exploiting their success. “The fine example Captain Aleynell set to his men, coupled with his determination to hold the position to the last, maintain the tradition of _ the Army and reflect the highest credit on the fallen officer and his comrades.” Captain Aleynell was thirty-one, married, and had a son aged seventeen months. His young widow, who was at Aleynell Langley when the news arrived, commented simply, “AVe are very proud.” Captain Meyncll’s younger brother, also an Army officer, showed a “Daily Express” representative a letter from another member of the Guides describing the encounter. It revealed that Captain Aleynell was wounded in five places. His last words to his men were: “Be brave, we shall get help soon.” The 12th Frontier Force Regiment was raised in 1846. ft is recruited from one of the finest fighting races in India—the Sikhs. Point 4080 mentioned in the “Gazette” commands the AVhaklci Pass in the Alohmand country. A party ol 3-10 Guides with four British officers were attacked by 1800 well-armed tribesmen.