THE COLONEL'S CHARGE.

Taranaki Daily News, 6 March 1918, Page 2

THE COLONEL'S CHARGE.

■DEED TEAT SAVED THE LINE.. SUBLIME SACRIFICES London, Feb. 21. Another series of heroic acts has been gazetted in the list of 12 Victoria Crosses, 7 of whom sacrificed their lives. Tire exploits include, the gallant deeds of Lieutenant-Colonel Seville ElliottCooper, of the ,Royai Fusiliers, who, learning that tho enemy hud broken through an outpost of the line and was advancing across the open, rushed out from his dug-out, mounted the parapJt, and dashed forward, calling on a reserve company and details ftfom 'battalion headquarters to follow. Though absolutely unarmed, he made a' bee-line for the enemy, and leading our men, forced back the enemy 000 yards, lie was'severely wounded when JO yards . ahead, and signalled to his followers to. withdraw, realising the insuperable odds against them, and regardless of. the knowledge that-he. must he taken prisoner. FOUGHT TO THE LAST. ■ ■ Tho late Captain Walter Stone, of 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. He proceeded to telephone the most valuable information under, a tremendous bombardment, and was seen fighting, to the last when the rearguard was surrounded 'aiid~cut" : to pieces. ■Lieutenant Samuel Wallace,. of the 1' ield Artillery, when the personnel of his battery was reduced to live, and was f, grounded, maintained the firo by swinging the trails round close together, enabling the men to serve the gijns. He thereby rendered most valuable support to-other troops. He was in action eight hours. SERVED HIS GUN ALL DAY. ' Sergeant Keyril Gourly, of the Field Artillery, though closely beset, fired his gun at short range in full enemy view, all day long, keeping she enemy in check; The late Private Walter Mills, of the Monchesters, despite that he was 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 line was retained intafct. Mills died from gas-poisoning.