THE COVETED V.C.

Auckland Star, Volume XLVI, Issue 209, 2 September 1915, Page 6 (Supplement)

THE COVETED V.C.

rive raw awards. VALOROUS DEEDS AGAINST THE TUML (Received 12.10 p.m.) LOXDOX, September 1. Five Victoria Crosses been awarded for deed* of ralour in the operations against the TwEs: — MAJOR WHEELER, of the Seventh Hnrirma Lancers, twice led fcle squadron in a lance charge upon the Turkish positions at Shaiba. lie was killed on April 13 when far ahead of his mm riding kinglc-handed straight for the Turkish standard:!. CAPTAIH O'STTU.IVAN, of tbe First Inniskilling Fusiliers. South-we»t of Krithia on the night of July 1, when it was essential that portion "of a lost trench should be regained, Capt. O'Sullivan, although not belonging to the troop* at that point, volunteered to lead the bomb-throwers. Captain O'Sullivan, in order to tfcrow the bombs wtih greater effect, got up on the parapet, where be wat completely exposed to Turkish fire. He was finally wounded, but hie inspiring example enabled the party to recapture the trench. SECOND LIEUTENANT ROCHrOHT, of the First Scot* Guards, on August 3rd. between Cambrin and La Basse. A German trench mortar bomb landed near a working party. Lieut. Rochfort might easily have stepped around the corner in perfect safety, but instead, be ehonted to the men." look out. ran to the bomb, and hurlrd it over the parapet. It exploded imme diate.lv. but a splendid combination of presence of mind and courage -aved many lives. SECOND MEUTEWAWT JAMES, of the FoJrth Worce«terbh:rpe. On July 25th, in the southern zone at Gallipoli. when portion of a regiment was checked, owing to all tbe officer* being killed or wounded, Lieut. James, who belonged to a neighbouring unit, gathered a bode of men and led them forward under heavy shell and rifle fire, then returned and organised a second party, putting fresh life injp the attack. Lieut. James on July 3rd headed a bomb-throwers' attack on a Turkish communication trench. When nearly all were wounded he remained alone, and kept back the enemy singlehanded until a barrier was built behind him, and the trench secured, being throughout exposted to a murderous fire. SERGEANT SOME&S, of the First Inniekflling Fusiliers. On tbe night of July let, in the southern zone of GaEipoli, when come British troops retired from a sap owing to bombing, Sergeant Somere remained alone until a party brought up bombs. Sergeant Somers then climbed a Turkish trench and bombed the Turks with great effect. Later he advanced in the open, and held back the enemy, throwing bombs on their flank until' a barricade was established. Throughout lie ran to and from the trenches obtaining fre&h eupplies of bombs. EHs great gallantry and coolnese was largely instrumental in recapturing a portion of our lost trench. ,