A HERO OF THE INDIAN FRONTIER.

Horowhenua Chronicle, 5 February 1936, Page 3

A HERO OF THE INDIAN FRONTIER.

Captain Godfrey Meynell. M.C., wlio foil mortally wounded at the head of his Indian soldiers in a hand-to-hand light with Mohmand rebels last September, has been awarded the Victoria Cross —tlu; first new V.C. for fourteen years only the second since the war (says the "Daily Fxpross"). Captain Meynell's father, BrigadierGeneral Godfrey Meynell, of Meynell Langley, Derbyshire, received the news on Christmas Eve —in a message from the King. Captain .Meynell was an officer in the sth Battalion (Queen Victoria's Own Corps of Guides) 12th Frontier Force Regiment of the Indian Army. The "London Gazete" announcing the V.€. award, described the action in these words:

"On September 2!), ].<i;-J5, while operating against Mohmand tribesmen in the attack on Point 40S0, Captain Meynell was adjutant, of the battalion.. In the final phase of the attack the battalion commander was unable to get information from his most forward troops. "Captain Meynell went forward to ascertain the situation, and found the forward troops on the objective, but involved in a struggle against an enemy vastly superior in numbers.

"Seeing the situation he at once took over command of the men in this area. The enemy, by this time was closing in on the position from three sides.

"Captain "Meynell had at his disposal two Lewis guns and abo.it thirty men. Although this party was maintaining heavy and accurate fire on the advancing enemy, the overwhelming numbers of the latter succeeded in reaching the position. Botli the Lewis guns were damaged beyond repair, and a fierce hand-to-hand struggle comeneed.

"During the struggle ("aptair Meynell was mortally wounded, and all his men were cither killed or wounded. •'Throughout the action Captain Meyiiell endeavoured by aii means to communicate the situation to headquarters, but determined te hold on at all ttosts and encouraged his men to fight with him to the last. 'By so doing he inflicted on the enemy very heavy casualties, which preventing them from exploiting their success

"The fine example Captain Meyiiell set to his men, coupled with his determination to hold the position to the last, maintain the tradition or' the Army and reflect the highest credit on the fallen officer and his comrades.''

Captain Meyiiell was thirty-one, married, and had a son rig.-d scv.-.uteon months.

His voting widow who was at Mevnell Langley when the u.jws arrived, commented simply, "We are very proud." Captain Meyiiell's younger brother, also an Army officer, s'.owcd s "Daily Express" representative a letter from another member of the Guides describing the encounter.

It revealed that n Meyncii wr.s wounded in live p'.uces ll's last words to his men were: "Be brave, we shall get help soon "

The 1-th Kr > i:i.tr F >ree Kegimci.t was raised in IS4'>. Jt is r-eruitul f.cm one of the finest ligh'.ing rates ;n iadia —the Sikhs. J'o int. 4 (HO m'.'.iibm.'d in the "Gazette" commands the Wahjkki Pass in the .Mohmand country. A pai'y of UK) Guides >vit'i four Brills,i officers attacked by IS)-' 1 well anncd tribesmen.