"FOR VALOUR"

Evening Post, Volume CXX, Issue 154, 27 December 1935, Page 7

"FOR VALOUR"

POSTHUMOUS AWARD

N.W. FRONTIER GALLANTRY

(Received December 27, 12.30 p.m.) LONDON, December 26. A posthumous award of the Victoria Cross has been announced in respect to Captain Godfrey Meynell, of Queen Victoria's Own Corps of Guides for conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty when killed during operations against the Mohmands . on the Indian north-west frontier in September. EXPLOIT DESCRIBED. The "London Gazette," describing the heroism, says: "Captain Meynell and an adjutant went forward to ascertain" the situation and found advanced troops involved in a struggle in which they were vastly outnumbered. He immediately took command of the area, on which the enemy were closing from three sides. Captain Meynell had only two Lewis guns and about 30 men, who, despite heavy and accurate fire, were rushed .by overwhelming numbers. Both Lewis guns were irreparably damaged and a fierce hand-to-hand struggle began in which Captain Meynell was mortally ,wounded and all his men were killed or'wounded. Captain Meynell, throughout the action, endeavoured to use all means to communicate with headquarters and encouraged his men to fight to the last, by which they inflicted heavy casualties, preventing the enemy from exploiting their success." v Captain Meynell was five times wounded. His last words were: "Be brave, we shall soon get help." TKe total British losses were 24 killed and 49 wounded, with nine missing. The tribesmen's casualties were 150. The British withdrew covered by artillery fire and aerial bombing, and the troops again occupied the position next day. Within a few hours the tribesmen were suing for peace.