TWO BRITISH V.C’S

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 21602, 3 January 1945, Page 3

TWO BRITISH V.C’S

VALOUR IN HOLLAND NAZI GUNS™STORMED SACRIFICE™BY N.C.O. (10.30 a.i11.) RUGBY, Jan. 2. The award of two Victoria Crosses for British infantrymen, one posthumous, is announced. Private G. H. Kardley, King's Shropshire Light Infantry, destroyed three machine-gun posts single-handed east of Overloon on the extreme northern sector on a wooded area, says a citation. Strong opposition was met from well-sitea enemy defensive positions in the orchards. The enemy fire was so heavy that it appeared impossible for any man to expose himself and remain unscathed. Private Eardley, however, successively charged the posts and killed the occupants with grenades and enabled .the objective to be achieved. The story of a posthumous award to Corporal J. W. Harper, of the York and Lancaster Regiment, is mainly one of lone and sustained courage. On Michaelmas Day last year, Corporal Harper's battalion, operating on the northern sector oi tne Western Front, attacked a natural aelensive position surrounded by an earthen wall and tnen a dyke, wlijcn were strongly iieid. With disregard ol a hail ol’ mortar bombs and small arms lire, says .the citation, Corporal Harper led his section straight up to the wall and killed or captured the enemy holding tiie near side. Climbing over the wall alone, Corporal Harper, in face o, Heavy lire, routed the Germans directly opposing him, taking lour prisoners. Corporal Harper subsequently climbed over the wall twice over and, by bringing down the enemy covering fire, enabled the rest oi tne company to cross open ground and surmount the waii. He then walked aione along the banks of the dyke in lace oi heavy Spandau fire to find a crossing place. He returned across open ground and, while directing the company command to the ford, was struck by a bullet and died on the bank ol the dyke. “The success of tne battalion in driving file enemy from the wall and oack across the dyke must largely be ascribed to his superb self-sacrifice and inspiring galantry,” says the citation.