V.C. WHO KILLED TEN MEN.

Wanganui Herald, Volume LI, Issue 15183, 31 March 1917, Page 5

V.C. WHO KILLED TEN MEN.

SINGLE-HANDED FIGHT IN A ’ TRENCH. • “His conduct throughout the day was magnificent,” concludes the brief official announcement of the award of the Victoria Cross to Private John Cunningham, East Yorks Regiment* who single-handed killed a party of ten of the enemy in a trench. After the enemy’s front hne had been captured, Private Cunningham proceeded with a bombing section up a communication trench., Much opposition was' encountered, and the rest of the section became casualties, Collecting all the bombs from the casualties, this gallant soldier went on alone. Having expended all his bombs, he returned for a fresh supply and again proceeded to .the communication trench, where he met a party of ten of the enemy. These he killed and cleared the trench iip to the enemy line. Private-Cunningham is 19 years of age. He joined the East Yorkshire' Regiment at the outbreak of war. STOOD ON A LIVE BOMB. The Victoria Cross has p.iso been awarded to Private David Ross Lauder, Royal Scots' Fusiliers, ‘■'or most conspicuous bravery when with a bomb- - ing party retaking, a . sap. Private Lander threw a bomb, which failed to clear the parapet and fell amongst the bombing party- There was no time to smother, the bomb, and Private-Lander at once put his. foot on it, thereby localising the explosion. His foot was blown off, but the remainder of the party, through this act of sacrifice, escaped unhprt.