‘When, during the advance on Marcoing, his platoon was held up by machine-gun fire, he at once crawled forward, located the machine-gun, and, with a Lewis gun team, knocked it out.
‘On arrival at the crossings he restored the plank bridge under a hail of bullets, thus enabling the first crossing to be made at this vital spot.
‘Later in the evening, during an attack, he, with eight comrades, was surrounded by an overwhelming number of Germans, and, though the position was apparently hopeless, he led a bayonet charge through them, fighting so fiercely that thirty-seven of the enemy were driven into the hands of the remainder of his company.
‘Although twice wounded, he refused to leave till the fight was won.’
No defences made by man, certainly none made by German, could withstand courage of this kind.
In a Special Order of the Day, issued on October 1st, by Major-General Sir R. Whigham, Commanding the 62nd Division, he addressed his gallant Troops as follows:
‘The capture of Havrincourt on 12th September was essential to the success of the operations south of Cambrai, in which the 62nd Division has been engaged during the last four days.
‘As a sequel to that brilliant achievement, the Division has now captured Marcoing, Masnières, and the high ground north of Crèvecoeur, thus establishing a bridgehead over the Canal de St. Quentin, which is vital to the further successful prosecution of the campaign.
‘The Field Marshal Commanding-in-Chief visited Divisional Headquarters to-day, and desired me to convey to all ranks of the Division his congratulations and high appreciation of their splendid courage and endurance.
‘For myself, I give you all my warmest thanks for the unfailing cheerfulness with which you have carried out the most arduous tasks, often in conditions of great hardship and discomfort.