A HERO'S DAY AND NIGHT

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 251, 11 July 1918, Page 6

A HERO'S DAY AND NIGHT

— : fr HOW HE' WON THE V.C. One of the most remarkable exploits of the war is related.in the official list in a recent London Gazette of eleven awards of the Victoria Cross, it con- i cerns Private Becsley, of tho Eifle Brigade. All the •officers and non-commis-sioned oiheere had ken killed in an at- : tack, whereupon Beeeley took command : ot the company and led the aesault He < captured single-handed an enemy post, , tilled two of the enemy at a machine- i gun, and then ehot dead an officer who I tried to. take their plase.. Three more I officers rushed out from a dug-oat,' and \ Beesley shot ono who was attempting to I destroy a map. Beeshy seized the map , and took prisoner the other two officers J Four more officers came out and these I Beesley also disarmed and sent back as prisoners. A comrade brought up a Lewis gun, which Beesley used with great effect against the retratia,' enemy. Beesley was now alone with his comrade, but they held on to the position for four hours under heavy fire. Then the j enemy advanced to the counter-attack. ! Beesley's companion was rounder], Nevertheless Beesley v-ith Lis Lewis gim ! kept the enemy back till long after the i posts on his right and. loft had been ' wiped out. When darkness came Beesjey ' moved back to the original line, bringing his wounded companion and gun with 1 him. He then mounted, the gun and ; kept ;t going against the enemy till things quietened down. The Gazette says that his indomitable pluck, skilful , shooting, and good judgment in eeonomising ammunition stamp this incident * as one of the most brilliant actions in c recent operatioae. • '