The history of the South African forces in FranceBuchan, John
History
The history of the South African forces in France
Buchan, John
South Africa. Army; World War, 1914-1918 -- Campaigns -- France; World War, 1914-1918 -- Regimental histories -- South Africa
At DELVILLE WOOD, France, on July 18, 1916. For most conspicuous bravery
and devotion to duty. A bombing party under Lieutenant Craig attempted
to rush across forty yards of ground which lay between the British and
enemy trenches. Coming under very heavy rifle and machine-gun fire, the
officer and the majority of the party were killed or wounded. Unable to
move, Lieutenant Craig lay midway between the two lines of trenches, the
ground being quite open. In full daylight Private Faulds, accompanied by
two other men, climbed the parapet, ran out, picked up the officer and
carried him back, one man being severely wounded in so doing.
Two days later Private Faulds again showed most conspicuous bravery in
going out alone to bring in a wounded man and carrying him nearly half
a mile to a dressing-station, subsequently rejoining his platoon. The
artillery fire was at the time so intense that stretcher bearers and
others considered that any attempt to bring in the wounded man meant
certain death. This risk Private Faulds faced unflinchingly, and his
bravery was crowned with success.
LIEUTENANT ROBERT VAUGHAN GORLE, “A” Battery, 50th Brigade, Royal Field
Artillery.
For most conspicuous bravery, initiative, and devotion to duty during
the attack at LEDEGHEM on October 1, 1918, when in command of an
eighteen-pounder gun working in close conjunction with infantry. He
brought his gun into action in the most exposed positions on four
separate occasions, and disposed of enemy machine guns by firing over
open sights under direct machine-gun fire at five hundred to six hundred
yards range.
Later, seeing that the infantry were being driven back by intense hostile
fire, he without hesitation galloped his gun in front of the leading
infantry, and on two occasions knocked out enemy machine guns which were
causing the trouble. His disregard of personal safety and dash were a
magnificent example to the wavering line, which rallied and retook the
northern end of the village.
MAJOR (ACTING LIEUTENANT-COLONEL) HARRY GREENWOOD, D.S.O., M.C., 9th
Battalion, King’s Own Yorkshire Light Infantry.
For most conspicuous bravery, devotion to duty, and fine leadership
on October 23-24, 1918. When the advance of his battalion on the 23rd
October was checked, and many casualties caused by an enemy machine-gun
post, Lieutenant-Colonel Greenwood, single-handed, rushed the post and
killed the crew. At the entrance to the village of OVILLERS, accompanied
by two battalion runners, he again rushed a machine-gun post and killed
the occupants.
On reaching the objective west of DUKE’S WOOD, his command was almost
surrounded by hostile machine-gun posts, and the enemy at once
attacked his isolated force. The attack was repulsed, and, led by
Lieutenant-Colonel Greenwood, his troops swept forward and captured the
last objective with one hundred and fifty prisoners, eight machine guns,
and one field gun.
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