nigelweysom
27-12-2008, 19:55
The Gordon Highlanders
The Victoria Cross
soldiers of the Gordon Highlanders were awarded 4 Victoria Crosses during World War 1
Drummer William Kenny
For conspicuous bravery on the 23rd October 1914, near Ypres ,in rescuing wounded men on five occasions under heavy fire in the most fearless manner,and for twice previously saving machne guns by carrying them out of action.
on numerous occasions Drummer Kenny conveyed urgent messages under dangerous circumstances over fire-swept ground
Captain James Anson Otho Brooke
For most conspicuous bravery and great ability near Gheluvelt, on the 29th October, in leading two attacks on the German trenches under heavy rifle and machine-gun fire, regaining a lost trench at a very critical moment.
He was killed on that day ,By his marked coolness and promptitude on this occasion ,Lieut. Brooke prevented the enemy from breaking through our line at a time when a general counter-attack could not have been organised.
Private Gordon McIntosh
For most conspicuous bravery when , during the consolidation of a position,his company came under machine-gun fire at close range .
Private McIntosh immediately rushed forward under heavy fire, and reaching this emplacement he threw a Mills grenade into it, killing two of the enemy and wounding a third .
Subsequently , entering the dug-out , he found two light machine guns , which he carried back with him.
His quick grasp of the situation and the utter fearlessness and rapidity with which he acted undoubtedly saved many of his commrades,and enabled the consolidation to proceed unhindered by machinegun fire .
Throughout the day the cheerfulness and courage of Private McIntosh was indomitable ,and to his fine example in a great measure was due the success which attended his company .
lieutenant Allan Ebenezer Ker
For conspicuous bravery and devotion to duty.
on the 21st March 1918 near St Quentin after a heavy bombardment, the enemy penetrated our line, and the flank of the 61st Division became exposed.
Lieut Ker with one Vickers gun succeeded in engaging the enemys infantry, approaching under the cover of dead ground and held up the attack,
inflicting many casualties.
He then sent back word to his Battalion Headquarters that he had determined to stop with his sergeant and several men who had been badly wounded, and fight until a counter-attack could be launched to relieve him.
Just as ammunition failed, his party was attacked from behind with bombs, machine guns and the bayonet .
several bayonet attacks were delivered but each time they were repulsed by Lieut Ker and his companions with their revolvers,the vickers gun by this time having been destroyed .
The wounded were collected into a small shelter, and it was decided to defend them to the last and to hold the enemy as long as possible.
In one of the many hand to hand encounters a German rifle and bayonet and a small supply of ammunition was secured, and subsiquently used with good effect against the enemy.
Although Lieut Ker was very exhausted from want of food and gas poisoning,and from the extreme exertions that he had made during ten hours of the most severe bombardment , fighting and attending to the wounded, he refused to surrender until all his ammunition was exhausted and his position was rushed by a large number of the enemy.
His behaviour throughtout the day was absolutely cool and fearless, and by his determination he was materially instrumental in engaging and holding up for three hours more than 500 of the enemy
Taken from The Life of a Regiment
Nigel
The Victoria Cross
soldiers of the Gordon Highlanders were awarded 4 Victoria Crosses during World War 1
Drummer William Kenny
For conspicuous bravery on the 23rd October 1914, near Ypres ,in rescuing wounded men on five occasions under heavy fire in the most fearless manner,and for twice previously saving machne guns by carrying them out of action.
on numerous occasions Drummer Kenny conveyed urgent messages under dangerous circumstances over fire-swept ground
Captain James Anson Otho Brooke
For most conspicuous bravery and great ability near Gheluvelt, on the 29th October, in leading two attacks on the German trenches under heavy rifle and machine-gun fire, regaining a lost trench at a very critical moment.
He was killed on that day ,By his marked coolness and promptitude on this occasion ,Lieut. Brooke prevented the enemy from breaking through our line at a time when a general counter-attack could not have been organised.
Private Gordon McIntosh
For most conspicuous bravery when , during the consolidation of a position,his company came under machine-gun fire at close range .
Private McIntosh immediately rushed forward under heavy fire, and reaching this emplacement he threw a Mills grenade into it, killing two of the enemy and wounding a third .
Subsequently , entering the dug-out , he found two light machine guns , which he carried back with him.
His quick grasp of the situation and the utter fearlessness and rapidity with which he acted undoubtedly saved many of his commrades,and enabled the consolidation to proceed unhindered by machinegun fire .
Throughout the day the cheerfulness and courage of Private McIntosh was indomitable ,and to his fine example in a great measure was due the success which attended his company .
lieutenant Allan Ebenezer Ker
For conspicuous bravery and devotion to duty.
on the 21st March 1918 near St Quentin after a heavy bombardment, the enemy penetrated our line, and the flank of the 61st Division became exposed.
Lieut Ker with one Vickers gun succeeded in engaging the enemys infantry, approaching under the cover of dead ground and held up the attack,
inflicting many casualties.
He then sent back word to his Battalion Headquarters that he had determined to stop with his sergeant and several men who had been badly wounded, and fight until a counter-attack could be launched to relieve him.
Just as ammunition failed, his party was attacked from behind with bombs, machine guns and the bayonet .
several bayonet attacks were delivered but each time they were repulsed by Lieut Ker and his companions with their revolvers,the vickers gun by this time having been destroyed .
The wounded were collected into a small shelter, and it was decided to defend them to the last and to hold the enemy as long as possible.
In one of the many hand to hand encounters a German rifle and bayonet and a small supply of ammunition was secured, and subsiquently used with good effect against the enemy.
Although Lieut Ker was very exhausted from want of food and gas poisoning,and from the extreme exertions that he had made during ten hours of the most severe bombardment , fighting and attending to the wounded, he refused to surrender until all his ammunition was exhausted and his position was rushed by a large number of the enemy.
His behaviour throughtout the day was absolutely cool and fearless, and by his determination he was materially instrumental in engaging and holding up for three hours more than 500 of the enemy
Taken from The Life of a Regiment
Nigel