HEROIC ACTS.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume II, Issue 488, 2 September 1915, Page 10

HEROIC ACTS.

VICTORIA CROSSES GAINED. J STIRRING INCIDENTS. B'j Cable.—Press Association. —Copyright. , (Received September 2, 12.48 p.m.) LONDON, September 1. Five Victoria Crosses have been awarded as follow: Major Wheeler, of the Seventh Hariana Lancers. He .twice led his squadron in lance charges on Turkish positions at Shaiba. He was killed on April 13. He was far ahead , of his men, riding single-handed straight for the Turkish standards. Captain O'Sullivan, of the First .Inniskilling 'Fusiliers. At Southwest Krithia,.on.the night of July 1, when it was essential that a portion . of a lost trench should be regained, Captain O'Sullivan, although not belonging to the troops at that point, volunteered to lead the bomb throwers, and, in order to throw bomb£ with greatest effect, got up on a parapet where he was completely •exposed to the Turkish fire. He was finally wounded, but his inspiring , example enabled the party to recapture the trench. (Received September 2, 1.25 p.m.) ,•! LONDON, September ,1. Sergeant Somers, Ist Inniskilling Fusiliers, on the night of July 1, in the southern zone of Gallipoli, when r .some British troops retired from a .sap, owing to bombing, Sergeant Somers remained alone until a party brought lip some bombs. Somers - then climbed to the Turkish trench, and bombed the Turks with great 1 effect. Later, he advanced in the " open, and he,ld back the enemy, throwing bombs on their flank, -v until a barricade was established. Throughout, he rah to and fro, between the tranches, obtaining fresh supplies of bombs. His great gpli lantry and coolness were largely inl strumental in recapturing a portion ; of our lost trench. Lieut. Rochfort, Ist Scots Guards, "for bravery on August 3, s between * ; Cambrin gnd La Bassee. A German trench mortar bomb landed near a working party. Rochfort might easily have stepped round the corner to ■perfect safety. Instead, he shouted <• to the men to "Look out," "ran to the bomb, and hurled it over a parav pet, where it exploded immediately. His splendid combination of pres- : »ence of mind and courage saved -many lives. Second Lieut. James, of the 4th Worcestershires. On July 25, in ! the southern zone at'Gallipoli, when a portion of a regiment was checked, ; -owing to all the oiflicers being killed ; or wounded, Lieut. James, who be* longed to a neighbouring unit, gathered a body of men, and led them forward under a heavy shell and : f rille fire. He then returned and organised a second party, putting fresh . life into the attack.' Lieut. James, on ; July' 3, headed a bomb-throwers' attack on a Turkish communication French. When nearly all were , w junded he remained alone, and

kept back the enemy, single-handed, until a barrier was built behind him, and the trench secured. Throughout, he was exposed to a murderous lire.