A TARANAKI V.C.

Taranaki Daily News, 11 February 1919, Page 3

A TARANAKI V.C.

Among the New Zealand recipients oi tile Victoria Cross is Sergeant Harry jJohn Laurent, of tho New Zealand Rilie tingade. A special divisional routine order, by Major-General Sir A. 11. Kuasell, ■k-U.8., K.C.M.G-, commanding the New Zealand Division, dated November 10 read as follows:

His Majesty the King has been graciously pleased to approve of the award of the Victoria Cross to No 24/213 Sergeant Harry John Laurent, 2nd Battalion, New Zealand Rifle Brigade, "for most extraordinary gallantry, skill and enterprise during" an uttack on the enemy's position. Sergeant Laurent had been detailed to exploit success anil keep touch with the enemy. After reaching tho objective he continued the advance with his party of ]2 other raal«. and pushed forward until they reached the enemy support line, SOO yards from our objective, which was found t® he very strongly held by the enemy. Sergeant Laurent immediately decided to attack, and, calling on his men to follow, charged into the enemy's midst. Th>> enemy endeavored to overcome the party ajid to bring machine-guns Into action, but the fierceness and suddenness of the attack completely disorganized them. Sergeant Laurent showed great resourcefulness in keeping his party in the mid.st of the enemy aud preventing them making use of" their weapoua, fighting them with rifles, bombs, bayonets, and a Lewis gun. Thirty of the enemy were killed- including an officer of high rank; whereupon the remainder surrendered and were hurried back to our lines. The prisoners captured aa a result of tTiis enterprise totalled one officer and 111 other ranks. Sergeant Laurent's party lost two men killed and two wounded, the enemy prisoners being made to carry back the wounded men. The success of this daring venture was due to iT\e extraordinary resourcefulness and gallantry of this N.C.0." Sergeant Laurent, in his latest letters to his relatives, said he hoped to leave England for New Zealand in March.