A HERO'S DAY AND NIGHT.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LII, Issue 167, 12 July 1918, Page 8

A HERO'S DAY AND NIGHT.

HOW HE WON THE V.C

One of the most remarkable exploits of the war is related in the official list in a recent London Gazette of eleven awards of the Victoria Cross. It concerns Private Bcesley, of the Ririe Brigade. All the officers and- non-commis-sioned officers had been killed in an attack, whereupon Bcesley look command of the companv and led the assault, lie captured single-handed an enemy post, killed two of the enemy at a machinegun, and- then shot, dead an officer who tried to take their place. Three more officers rushed out from a dug-out, and Beesley shot one who was attempting to destroy a map. Beesley seized the map and took prisoner the otner two officers. Four more officers came out and these Beesley also disarmed and sent back as prisoners. A comrade brought up a Cewis cun, which Beesley used with great effect against the retreating.enemy. Beesley was now alone with his comrade, but they held on to the positn£ -for four hours under heavy fire. Then the enemy advanced to the coun--4r attack. Beesley'* companion. was winded. Nevertheless Beesley wth Ws Lewis gun kept the enemy back t U SnT aftea- the posts on his right and &had been w\ped out ness came Beesley moved back to the oriJinS line, bringing*- ™und|d- compaSon and gun with him. He then mounted- the gun and kept * g« g S Bt ?hVKtte 1 sa t S"Sat his ini "t'.We oluck, skilful shooting, and tioiis.