VALOUR ON THE FIELD.

Press, Volume LV, Issue 16424, 18 January 1919, Page 10

VALOUR ON THE FIELD.

VICTORIA CROSS "WINKERS

c : LONDON, January 1. 'Gallant deeds, for which Victoria Crosses .have heen awarded, are told as follows s — .. . jlajor B. W.urk, of 32nd -_Aiistralian. Battalion, has been awarded the V.t. ior bravery, initiative, and control, in siri attack on the Hmdenburg lino,, at Bullecount and the subsequent advance through N auroy-Etricourt-Magny ia tfossee and Joncourt. He led His troops fe'ai'lcsslv, and, having collected a tew men! rushed a Gorman battery, captnriiiff io.tir guns aud-10 of the crew. Major W ark then moved rapidly forwards, ac-(-om n.'-iod by two . non-commissioned officers, and • surprised 50 . Germans, whom ho and his companions took prisoners. Next day ho again dashed torward and silcncod some machine-guna Which* were causing - heavy casualties. His work is described ,in the official reC L. Weathers,-of 43rd Battalion, wriilo with advance bombing parties north of Eeronne, on September 2nd -went forward, alono under heavy ire and attacked the enemy with bombs. Ho returned for a fresh supply and' again advanced with three comrades." Weathers, regardless .of personal danger, mounted the enemy parapet. and bombed the trenca. The battalion • took s 180 prisoners and three inachine-guns. , _ ~ Lanco-Corporal. B. Gordon, of the 41st Battalion, led a section through lieavv shell fire, eastward of Brav on the night, of August 26th A and attacked a' machine-gun - wliich was enfilading the Australians.' He captured themachinecun' post, killing the gunner, and making prisoners of the officers and 10 men. Gordon then cleared "up tho trench, tak- | in'" 29 prisoners and two machine-guns. | Clearing no further trenches he took j °2 prisoners and threo machine-guns. He $et a wonderful example of . fearless initiative, capturing practically unaided two officers, .61 men, and-sue man chine-guns. „ Private J. Ryan, of the ooth Battalion, was in an attack on the Hm- ' denburg defences on August 30th, when the enemy counter-attacked and established'a bomhing post in the rear. Ryan saved a particularly dangerous situation. He led a party of men with tombs and bayonets, and killed the hret three German's in the trench by skiituj bayoneting. Then Ryan alone rushed tho remainder with boinbs." He' *en Vounded in No 3lnn ? s Land. I'rivato J. Woods, of the 48 th Battalion, who,- with a weak patrol, captured a Tormidable enemy post near •Leverguier. north-west of St. Quentrn, .and hold the post with two comrades against' heavv counter-attacks. although exposed to. heavy fire of all de..sorintions,, lie fiercely jumped off tiie paraoet and fired on tho attacking troops, inflicting-severe casualties, holdjn" up tho eueriiy until help arrived. '."Hiß'-was a splendid, example of valour, and initiative*