A MEDICAL V.C. HERO.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 3, Issue 253, 4 December 1914, Page 4 (Supplement)

A MEDICAL V.C. HERO.

Our cables recently recorded the fact that Lieut. Rankin, of the Army Medical Corps, had been awarded tne Victoria Cross.

Lieut. H. C. D. Rankin, R.A.M.C, wh owas reported missing some weeks ago, in th* connse of a letter to his parents writes: "Since coming out our troops have been almost continuously marching and fighting every day; they are doing very well. On September 1 there was a rearguiurd action with the Germans, and I was with one of our field companies which was fortifying positions. As we went along I stopped to dress some wounded and an officer came up and told me there were lots of our wounded in some woods behind, so I rode back to see if 1 could do anything for them. As I went on I saw some troops about 5011 vards off, and, not being sure if they wcca curs or Ger-

LIEUT. H. C. I). RANKIN. U.A.M.G

mails, turned off towards some woods on my lift. They then began to tiro on me, so I lay Mat <>n my horse and used niy spurs and galloped off. blaring their bullets whizzing above and below and all around, but fortunately neither my horse nor I were liit. 1 then was going back to our troop*, when I met another ottic. r of ours coming along with a n ambulance waggon. Ho had l>eeu ordered to go back. I could not very well let him go alone, so 1 turned again, hop.-ig we might mailago to e\ady tho Germatus. Wo walked right into tome of their infantry, however, and were made prisoners. Thev treated us quite well, and bagged most of our kit after taking our 6words an,] revolvers. Next day they sent us to a place where they had a field hospital and !J7 of our woumhd and some prisoners. We wore joined by two other R.A.M.C. officers who also had been captured, so the four of us got to work and looked alter our own people; and ther;'. was lots to lie dene—not enough dressings and food. The Germans had about V\)o of their own wounded. They said they were going Uj take us to Berlin and keep us there until the end of the war, out on September lltb tho French en mo along an J drove them away, and iv<v were free. . . We have been heavily shelled by the Germans tb,i last t.no day*, but tlie bombardment is rather loss now. I am very well and tit. and noils., the wots,, for ha\ ing b'Vn a prisoner. . . . The houses where 'be (b rmniin hav been are m :> frightful condition- w.mtor, dot ruction on cVrv side—but I must say they \vi re very 10-jvfM-tt ill to us and our prisoners and »vnumb'.! at Villors (Vtereli in tho*'] memorable U>u J'i,'s."