FOR VALOR.

Taranaki Daily News, 31 May 1919, Page 6

FOR VALOR.

NEW ZEALANDER-S' V.C.'S. The deeds for which three Kew Zealand?™ were awarded the Victoria Cross in the dosing months of the war arc described in .ieneral Orders as follow: 24,/'213 Sergeant Hurry .lohu Laurent, N.Z. Rifle Brigade.—Jb'or most, couspicuou"? bravery, skill, and enterprise w'len during an attack lie was detailed tn exploit an initial success and keep in touch with the enemy. With a party of twelve lie located the enemy support line very strongly held, at once charged the position, followed by his men, and completely disorganised the enemy by liia sudden onslaught. In the subse'quenfc hand-to-hand fighting which ensued lie showed great resourcefulness in controlling and encouraging his men, and thirty of tlie enemy having been killed the remainder surrendered, a total of one officer and 111 other ranks in all. The success of this daring venture, which caused his party four casualties only, was due to his gallantry and enterprise. . 14/131 Private James Crichton, Auckland Begiment.—For most conspicuous bravery and devotion to duty when, although wounded in the foot, he continued with the advancing troops, despite difficult canal and river obstacles. When his platoon was subsequently forced back l by a counter-attack he succeeded in carrying a message, which involbed swimming a river and crossing an area swept by machine-gun fire, subsequently re-joining hi 3 platoon. Later he undertook on his own initiative to save a bridge which had been mined, and, though tinder close fire of machine-guns and snipers, he succeeded in removing the charges, returning with, the fuses and detonators. Though suffering from a painful wound he displayed the highest degree of valor and devotion to duty. 10/2950 Sergeant John Gilroy Grant, Ist Battalion, Wellington Begiment For most conspicuous bravery and devotion to duty near Bancourt on September 1, 1918, when sergeant in command of a platoon forming part of the leading waves of the battalion attacking the high ground to the east of Bancourt. On reaching the crest it was found that a line of five eneniv machine-gun posts offe'red a serious obstacle to further advance. Under point-blank fire, however, the company advanced against these posts. When about twenty yards from the posts Sergeant Grant, closely followed bv a comrade, rushed forward ahead of his platoon, and with great dash and bravery entered the centre post, demoralising the garrison and enabling the men of his platoon to mop up the position. In the same manner he rushed the post on the left, and the remaining Tiosts were nuioklv occupied and cleared by his company. Throughout the wJiole operation on this day and two previous days, Sercreant Grant displaved coolness, determination, and valor of the highest and set a splendid example to all. (Sergeant I.aurent and Sergeant Grant arc ILnvera boys.)