Great Britain

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXVIII, Issue 3, 2 September 1915, Page 6

Great Britain

'“FOR VALOUR.” FIVE VICTORIA, CROSSES. United Press Association. (Received 12.45 p.m.) London, September 1. Five, Victoria Crosses have been awarded. Major Wheeler, of the Seventh Hai iana Tamcer*. ivho twice.led his squadron in a lance charge on the Turkish positiousv at ,Shaiha.! : .-He was killed on April 1 13th far ahead of his men) ridiilg ’ sihgle-llhuded straight Aor the Turkish standards. Captain O’Sullivan; of the Ist TnnisFusiliers, was sontliAwcst of Krithia bn the .night,,of 1, when it was essential that a portion ot a lost trench should be regained. Captain O’Sullivan, although not belonging to the troops at that point, volunteered to lead the bomb throwers, ami in order to throw the bombs with * greater effect he got up on the parapet, where he was•,completely expos- ■ j»d to the Turkish • fire. He was finally wouiided, but his, inspiring exaippie'’enabled the party, to, reedptUre the trench. • Sergeant of the Ist Inms,- . killing Fusiliers, on the night of July 1, wag in the southerp ,zonO at Gallipoli, when some British troops retired from a sap owing to bombing, and Somers remained alone until the party brought up bombs. Somers then climbed the Turkish trench and bombed the Turks with great effect. The latter [/ advanced to the open and held hack the enemy, throwing bombs on their flank until a barricade was established. Throughout, he ran to and from the tranches, obtaining fresh supplies of bombs. His great gallantry and coolness were largely instrumental in recapturing portion of our lost trepch. Lieutenant Rosfifort, of the First Scots Guards, for bravery on August 3, between Cambria La Basseo. From a German trench mortar, a bomb laud- ' eel near a working party. Rochfort might easily bare stepped round the . corner In perfect safety, but instead lie shouted to the men to look out, then ran to the bomb, and hurled it over the parapet, where it exploded immediately. His splendid combination of presence of mind and courage V ■■ ■ - - ' 11 • saved many lives. Second-Lieutenant James, of the 4th Worcester shires, on July 25, was •in the southern zone at Gallipoli, when portion of a regiment was checked- owing to all the officers having been killed or wounded. James, who heloi/ged to a neighbouring unit, gathered a body of men and led them forward under heavy shell and rifle fire; then lie returned* and organised a second party, putting fresh life into the attack. James, on July 3. headed an % attack by bomb-throwers on,a Turkish communication trench. When nearly all were wounded, be remained alone and kept back the enemy single-hand-ed until a barrier was built behind him and the trench secured. Throughout he was exposed to a murderous fire.

ROYALTIES VISIT THE WOUNDED

■ Per Press 'Association. (Received 12.10 p.m.) London, September 1. The King and Queen spent two and a-hulf hours at tfie Third London General Hospital, Wandsworth, where two ' hundred who recently returned from ' Germany a.s unfit for future sendee were drawn up in double file, wearing the blue hospital uniforms. Their Majesties walked up and down the lines speaking to each man. all bearing visible evidence of terrible wounds. The King asked one how he was fed in Germany, and the soldier replied; “They fed us like cattle.” The King retorted: “Not upon Lay, T hope!” Later, their Majesties visited and conversed with a number of Australians and New Zealanders from the Dardanelles,