HERO OF GAS ATTACK

Southland Times, Issue 17658, 16 February 1916, Page 3

HERO OF GAS ATTACK

K INC'S CONGRATULATION'S. After the King had deccrted 25 officers at Rockingham Palace recently, it was found possible at the last moment to include a Victoria Cross winner, Corporal James Dawson, of the Royal Engineers, who was awarded his decoration for most conspicuous bravery, and devotion to duty on October 13 last at the Hohcnzollern redoubt. During a gas attack, when the trenches were full of men, he walked backwards and forwards along the parapets, fully exposed to very heavy lire, in order to he the bettor able to give directions to his sappers and to clear the infantry out of the sections of the trench that were full of gas. Finding throe leaking cylinders, ho rolled them some HI yards away from the trench, again under very heavy fire, and then fired rille bullets into them to let the gas escape. There is no doubt, adds the record, that the cool gallantry of Corporal Dawson on this occasion saved many men from being gassed. The King, in pining on the Victoria Cross, shook hands with the recipient, and heartily commended his coolness and pluck. Sot end-Lieu tenant J. R. Wood, Gordon Highlanders, who single-handed captured 275 Gormans, was among those decorated with the Military Cross.