THE V.C.

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 16220, 24 May 1918, Page 7

THE V.C.

AWARDS FOR MAGNIFICENT

HEROISM

(By Cable.—Press Association.—Copyright.) (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.) LONDON, May 22. Details are gazetted of 11 brilliant feat 9 for which the Victoria Cross has been awarded. All are Britishers, and were mostly leaders of hopes in the Somme and Flanders fighting. They include the following:—

Captain James Forbes Robertson, who displayed quick judgment, resource, ana untiring energy. He four times saved the line from breaking, and fearlessly exposed himself while the enemy battalion was held, covering the retreat of troops on his flanks. Lieutenant Pryce, -who commanded a party covering the flank of the Grenadier Guards. AVhcn his company was reduced to forty he found himself outflanked and his position enfiladed. He beat off four attacks. The enemy then brought three field-guns within 300 yards of the trench, and when the German infantry were within sixty yards Pryce led a bayonet charge and drove them back. Finnlly only seventeen men remained, and all the ammunition was gone. Pryce again led a bayonet charge, aud was last seen in a hand-to-hand struggle against overwhelming odds. Pryce's forty men held at least ono battalion for several hours, and stopoed the advance through the British lines.

Lieutenant Buchnn, who was wounded early in the battle, found his platoon surrounded. To the enemy demand for his surrender ]»• renlied: "To hell with surrender!" He shot the foremost of the enemy, and fought his way buck +o the main liodv. 110 continued his Gallant sclf-saerifr" fo" two days, until he was nfrain cut off. It was impossible for heful/marters to orders for his withdrawal, and Bnehan was last seen, ho'ding out aiaiust overwhelming odds. Privato Ciunter, who volunteered to deliver an important message, tliotiph ho had lust seen five runners killed in •-ucccssion by terrific macbiric-gnn fire. He not only (Jeliverer] the message in the face of almost certain death, but returned with another messape. enabling a counter-attack to he carried out, regaining the whole position.