V. C. DEEDS

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 16154, 7 March 1918, Page 4

V. C. DEEDS

THE COLONEL'S CHARGE

(Sydney "Sun.")

LONDON. February 16

Another scries of heroic ;icts has been gazetted in the li.st of .12 Victoria Crosses, seven of whom sacrificed tlieir lives.

The exploits include the gallant deeds of Lieut.-Colonel Neville JilliottCooper, of the Jloyal Fusiliers, who, learning that the- enemy liad broken through ail outposl of the line and was advancing across the open, rushed r.ut from his dug-out. mounted the parapet, and dashed forward, calling on u reserve company and details from battalion headquarters io follow. Though absolutely unarmed, he made a beeline for the enemy, and leading our men, forced bjicli tlie enemy 600 yards. He was severely wounded when -.'0 yards ahead, and signalled to his followers to withdraw, realising the insuperable odds against them, and icgardloss of the knowledge that he must do taken prisoner. The late Captain Walter Stone, cf the Royal Fusiliers, though ordered to withdraw his company and leave a rearguard owing to an expected attack, remained when he realised the unexpected rapidity of the onslaught. Me proceeded to telephone the most valuable information under a tremendous bombardment, and was seen fighting to the last when the rearguard was surrounded and cut to pieces. Lieutenant Samuel Wallace, of the Field Artillery, when the personnel of his battery was reduced to five, ami was surrounded, maintained the fire by swinging the trails round close together. enabling the. men to serve the guns. He thereby rendered mo.st valuable support to other troops. He was in action eight hours.

Serge-ant Keyril Gourly, of the Field Artillery, though closely beset, fired his gun at short range in full enemy view all day long, keeping the, enemy in check.

The late Private Walter .Mills, of the Manchesters, despite that he vas badly gassed, continued to bomb a strong .enemy patrol single-handed until the arrival of reinforcements. The enemy was sorely defeated owing to his exertions, and the lino was retained intact. Mills died from gas poisoning.