BLOWN UP WITH A BRIDGE.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XLV, Issue 14647, 3 July 1918, Page 6

BLOWN UP WITH A BRIDGE.

YOUNG OFFICER'S SACRIFICE

Mr. Hamilton Fyfe m the Daily Mail of April 15, after describing the fighting m Merville and the blowing up of bridges, said: "At another bridge a party of six Germans rushed across and scuffled with the Royal Engineers, who were laying the fuse. There was only just time to do it. The attackers were pitched into the water. A dozen more were on the bridge coming 1 to their assistance when the explosion took place. ,By something like a miracle our men managed to get away, all but the subaltern m command, who was unfortunately killed." The subaltern referred to was Lieutenant J. Ronald W. Williams, M.C., R.E., affed 22, an engineer by profession, f who had two and a-half year's service m. France.

Further information from his colonel and captain shows that the destruction of the bridge successfully interrupted the onrush of the enemy. The task entrusted io him called for great courage and resource. Tb4 infantry were making a fighting retreat and the enemy had gained a footing on the bridge but were promptly thrown into the water, only to be followed by a much larger enemy force, which also got on the bridge. _ He got his own men away m safety m a, marvellous way, and to the consternation of the Germans succeeded |n blowing up the whole structure with its ocupants. His thought for the safety of his own men no doubt Jed to the loss of his own life.