A NEW ZEALAND HERO

Waikato Times, Volume 89, Issue 13896, 23 October 1918, Page 5

A NEW ZEALAND HERO

SERGEANT FORSYTH, V.C. GREAT COURAGE AND COOLNESS. AGAINST GERMAN MACHINE-GUN-NERS. MANY CASUALTIES SAVED. (Australian. N.Z. and Reuter.) Received October 23 9.20 a.m LONDON, 'October 22. A Victoria Cross has been awarded to Sergeant Samuel Forsyth, of the New Zealand Engineers, for conspicuous bravery and devotion to duty. In an attack, when nearing their objective, Sergeant Forsyth's company came under heavy machine-gun lire. Through his dashing leadership and total disregard of danger, three ma-chine-gun positions were rushed and the crews taken prisoner before they could inflict many casualties. During the subsequent advance, Sergeant Forsyth's company came under the heavy lire of several machinepuns, of which he located two hy daring reconnaissance. In nn endeavour to gain support from a lank. Sergeant Forsyth was wounded, but in the face of the heaviest lire endeavoured to lead the tank to a favourable position: but the tank, however, was put out of action. Sergeant Forsyth then organised the tank crews and several .if his men into sections and led them to a position where the machine-gunners could be oulilank'-d. Although always under lire they brought about a retirement of the machine-puns, and enabled the British advance to continue. At this moment a sniper killed Sergeant Forsyth. Throughout his courage, coolness and great power (if initiative proved tn bp an invaluable incentive to all, and saved many casualties. OTHER N.Z. RECIPIENTS. Other New Zealandcrs who "nave won the V.C. in the present war are:— Sergeant C. K. G. Bassett, of Auckland. Sergeant D. F. Rrown. of Onmaru. Lieutenant-Commander Sanders, of Auckland (since killed^. La nee-Corporal S. Frickleton, of the West Coast. Corporal L. W. Andrew, of Wanganui. Sergeant Travis, Otago Regiment. The Cross has also heen won bv Rriga-dier-General B. 0. Frevberg. Wellington, serving with the Imperial Forces, and the late Capt>in A. j. Shout and , the late Private Thomas Cooke. Wel- | lington. serving with the Australians.