RESCUE OF WOUNDED.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XLIV, Issue 14244, 12 March 1917, Page 3

RESCUE OF WOUNDED.

COURAGEOUS DEEDS UNDER FIRE

The soldier, Private Fynn, .vho was recently awarded the V.C., for jravery on the held of battle, is a member of the Salvation Army. The story of his deed,, a« told by an officer of his regiment, the South Wales Borderers, mikes thrilling reading. "Fynn's heroism," said this officer, "was of the most self-sacrificing kind. He had no hope jf any gain or recognition, but simply acted out of huma-nity. He said he could not -bear to see the wounded lying unattended; and he asked permission to go out to them. My fust sight of him was when he was running "across the open under heavy fire. Shells were churning up the ground, sending huge pillars of dost and debris skyward. Buliets were, as thick as bees around an overturned hive, but Fynn didn't seem to mind; he crossed and reerdssed with materials to the men be went, to assist, and with remarkable coolness dressed their wounds under fire. Then, when they were all made as comfortable as possible, he came rushing- back,,, for a stretcher to move the worst cases. He could not get one, and had to go back without it.

"On the way back he had to tun the gauntlet of very heavy fire, 'and . several times we thought he had fallen. He came under such a- hot fire, finally; that he was forced ,'to his knees, and crawled along the ground for some distance. Then he got up, made a dash towards the cluster of wounded men, and dropped down amongst them. We thought he was hit, but he was not. Shortly he was 9een to rise aga-in, and turn towards the wounded " men. I heard afterwards that he was having an argument as to who was in most urgent need of assistance, but he quickly had a man on his back, and started on the return journey. No sooner had he set out than the enemy opened fire The snipers seemed bent on bringing him down at all costs. His progress was painfully slow. We held our breath, and I am sure that many who had never before i« the heat of battle framed a prayer, pray ed hard for the hero's safety. At one moment he had to stop, and we thought the task was proving too much for him, but he resumed the journey, and finally reached safety with his burden. He got a rousing cheer. He took a very short rest, and declared he was going out, again.

"A comrade volunteered to go with him. The enemy oncned fire once more as soon as they showed their heads above the parapet, and the two men had a> grim game at hide-and-seek with death all tile time they were dodging among the shell-holes between us and the wounded men. They took hold of one of the badly wounded, and started to carry him in. Fynn'a '»■ companion was hit and fell, but got. up, and, though wounded, helped Flynn to brii«.a in the man they wore assisting. How they got through, Ood knows.. Tt was a terrible ordeal. Death dogged their footsteps all the way, and when they got within a. few yards of bur parapet, and were almost safe, the enemy redoubled their fire, and the three men were 'shot at from all quarters. They came through all right. Comrades rushed forward to assist them in. and Fynn was warmly commended on all sides for his wonderful pluck,"