AN AUCKLAND V.C.

Auckland Star, Volume L, Issue 164, 11 July 1919, Page 6

AN AUCKLAND V.C.

RETURNING BY MARAMA. •v LIEUT. R. S. JUDSOX. t i Another Auckland soldier to win the (Victoria Cross, 2nd Lieut. R. S. Judson, is returning by the ambulance carrier ,-Marama. This soldier's distinguished career includes the remarkable distincjtion of having gained the Distinguished 'Conduct Medal, the Military Medal, and [the Victoria Cross within the space of Tone month. I His first distinction, the D.C.M., was won near Hebutcrno on July 24, 1018, when he attacked by daylight a long sap leading to the enemy's position. By bombjing he forced the enemy to retreat (iOO ,/yarda, and so enabled the following jtroops to garrison and hold the captured ijtrench for 24 hours. He was untiring iii his efforts to organise and hold tlntrench. Next morning, almost at the time his unit was to be relieved, the enemy pierced the line to the left, and he went alone to see what was taking place. He found six survivors of the garrison, whom he organised. Fighting 'his way forward into the old position he found the officer dead at his post. lie remained with the men until visited by I'thcir officer, who asked him to stay until the position had been readjusted. This he did under very heavy bombing and machine-gun fire. The enemy again collected men for the assault, so Sergeant Jildson—he had not received a commission at this time —crept forward alone and threw six bombs among them, thus drawing their bombs in his direction, and so saving his men. Subsequently, on the same night, the enemy continued putting 'up (lares from a position 00yds in front of the post, so he again crept forward, land threw bombs. His action and initiative resulted disastrously for the enemy. His Military Medal was awarded for gallant conduct near Puisieux, when he pilenced enemy machine guns, rushing straight at the gun positions with his section, capturing three machine guns and 17 prisoners without loss. His supreme decoration, the Victoria Cross, was awaftlcd for gallant conduct on August 20, 1918, irlien he led a small bombing party, and under heavy lire, and afterwards went alone along tlie sap and I bombed three machine gun crews. Ho 'ordered a party of two ollicers and ten men to surrender, but they opened fire, whereupon he jumped down' among them, killed two, put the rest to (light, and captured two more machine guns. Lieut. Judson's wife livps"at 20. Dedwood Terrace, Ponsonby. Prior to enlisting he was employed as a boilermaker.