Read Complete Works of Rudyard Kipling (Illustrated) Online
Authors: Rudyard Kipling
16th September 1918
. M.C. to Captain Charles Joseph Henry O’Hara Moore, Irish Guards: “For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. In a situation of extreme gravity, when the troops on the right had been forced out of their trenches by the intensity of the fire, this officer collected them, leading them back through a heavy barrage to the original line, when he stayed with them, walking down the line under sniping and machine-gun fire, until their confidence had returned. His courage and coolness were an example to all.”
16th September 1918
. M.C. to Captain Terence Edmund Gascoigne Nugent, Irish Guards: “For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty, in going forward into the open through an extremely heavy barrage to rally some men who were falling back. He led them back into the line, and by his fearless example encouraged the troops to stiffen their resistance. His conduct throughout the operations was of a high order.”
16th September 1918
. M.C. to Second Lieutenant Charles Stuart O’Brien, Irish Guards: “For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty in charge of a raiding party. When the party was formed up he found that the barrage that came down at Zero hour was for the greater part just beyond the enemy post. He therefore ordered his party to crawl forward until they were quite close to the post and then to charge exactly as the barrage lifted, with the result that every man of the garrison was captured without much resistance. Had he not noticed that the barrage was a little too far, and remained where he was, his party would not have arrived at exactly the right moment, and the success of the raid entirely depended upon this.”
7th November 1918
. Bar to M.C. to Lieutenant (Acting Major) John Neville Marshall, M.C., Irish Guards, Special Reserve: “For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty during an advance. He was ordered to take a company and two platoons and fill a gap and capture a position in the hands of the enemy. He succeeded splendidly, and, advancing further than the unit on his left, he formed a defensive flank and beat off a hostile attack. Though wounded early in the attack, his courage and fine leadership were chiefly responsible for the success of the operation.” (M.C. gazetted 1st January 1917.)
2nd December 1918
. Bar to M.C. to Lieutenant (Acting Major) Thomas Francis Tallents, M.C., Irish Guards, Special Reserve, attached 4th Guards M.G.C.: “For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. When part of the line was held up and troops were finally obliged to retire to avoid being cut off, this officer carried out, at great risk, a reconnaissance, which enabled the machine-gunners to move forward with their guns and equipment. The result was that the hostile fire against the infantry was much neutralised, and a movement to cut them off stopped, with heavy loss to the enemy.” (M.C. gazetted 3rd June 1916.)
11th January 1919
. M.C. to Lieutenant (Acting Captain) Daniel Joseph Hegarty, 1st Battalion, Irish Guards: “For conspicuous gallantry in an attack. He led his company with great determination through intense artillery barrage and machine-gun fire, and finding the leading battalion held up he established and consolidated posts, thus protecting their flanks. Throughout the operations he showed marked courage and devotion to duty.”
11th January 1919
. M.C. to Second Lieutenant Alan Edward Hutchinson, Irish Guards (Special Reserve), attached 1st Battalion: “For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He reconnoitred and occupied with his platoon an enemy trench, which was to be the Battalion’s objective the next morning, thus assisting a tank which had to cross the railway at Zero hour. Later, in an attack, he led his platoon skilfully in face of intense machine-gun fire, and although wounded gained his objective and remained during consolidation. He set a fine example of courage and cheerfulness to all under him.”
11th January 1919
. M.C. to Second Lieutenant John Alexander Mulloy Faraday, Irish Guards (Special Reserve), attached 1st Battalion: “For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He led a patrol forward some 800 yards, gained touch with the enemy, and, after pushing on a little further, consolidated his position. Two platoons were sent to support him, but were later ordered to withdraw. Under heavy artillery and machine-gun fire he maintained his position for some hours, and covered the withdrawal of the platoons before withdrawing his own party in perfect order. Though the enemy tried to cut him off, and he was badly wounded, he got his party safely back to his lines, together with four prisoners. Throughout he showed fine courage and leadership under most difficult circumstances.”
11 th January 1919
. M.C. to Rev. Francis Stanislaus du Moulin Browne, Army Chaplain Department, attached 1st Battalion, Irish Guards: “For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty during an attack. He went forward with the battalion under very heavy fire and spent the whole day tending wounded and helping stretcher-bearers to find them under machine-gun fire. He showed splendid zeal and disregard of danger.”
11th January 1919
. M.C. to Captain Arthur Wyndham Louis Paget, Irish Guards (Special Reserve), attached 1st Battalion: “For conspicuous gallantry during an attack. He led his company to their objective through intense artillery barrage, showing great courage and coolness under heavy machine-gun fire while organising his company and consolidating his position. He also went out and helped in a wounded officer. He set a very fine example to his men.”
11th January 1919
. M.C. to Captain Cuthbert Avenal John Vernon, Irish Guards (Special Reserve), attached 1st Battalion: “For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty on 26th to 27th September 1918, during the attack on Flesquières. In the evening he laid the tapes to mark out the assembly positions for the battalion, only 250 yards from the front line, and directed the companies in the dark to their places. The next morning, when some confusion was caused by the intense hostile barrage, he collected stragglers and reorganised the battalion on its objective.”
1st February 1919
. M.C. to Second Lieutenant Patrick Redmond Joseph Barry, 1st Battalion, Irish Guards: “For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty on 27th September 1918, near St. Léger. Throughout the fighting he was calm and collected, acting as Adjutant, making all arrangements and assisting in the reorganisation. The next day, when there was some confusion owing to the hostile barrage at the crossing of the Hindenburg Line, he did fine work in reorganizing the men and giving them the right direction.”
1st February 1919
. M.C. to Lieutenant Henry Archibald Arthur Collett, 1st Battalion, Irish Guards: “For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty on 27th September 1918, at the attack on Flesquières he commanded his company with skill and dash. The start was over difficult ground, the Hindenburg Line having to be crossed under heavy barrage. Although it was barely light he steadied his men and gave them the right direction, capturing the objective in spite of strong opposition.”
1st February 1919
. M.C. to Lieutenant Lawrence Derek Murphy, 1st Battalion, Irish Guards: “For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty on 27th September 1918, during the attack on Flesquières. Very soon after the start he was the only officer left with his company, but grasping the situation he led the men on to their objective, where he reorganised at once under deadly shell fire, and established touch with the enemy on his right. He then collected stragglers and reorganised them, showing great coolness and disregard of danger.”
1st February 1919
. M.C. to Lieutenant (Acting Captain) the Hon. Bruce Arthur Ashley Ogilvy, 1st Battalion, Irish Guards: “For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty, on 27th September 1918, during the capture of Flesquières and the ridge beyond. He was in command of the company that had to take the furthest objective, and got across both the Hindenburg lines and the canal without losing direction or getting behind time. He was in front the whole time, personally reconnoitring a machine-gun position and organising its capture. He was wounded while working forward with a few men against a machine-gun nest in the Sugar Factory.”
13th February 1919
. V.C. to Lieutenant (Acting Lieut.-Colonel) John Neville Marshall, M.C., late Irish Guards (Special Reserve), attached 16th Battalion, Lancashire Fusiliers: “For most conspicuous bravery, determination and leadership in the attack on the Sambre-Oise Canal, near Catillon, on the 4th November. 1918, when a partly constructed bridge came under concentrated fire and was broken before the advanced troops of his battalion could cross. Lieut.-Colonel Marshall at once went forward and organised parties to repair the bridge.
“The first party were soon killed or wounded, but by personal example he inspired his command and volunteers were instantly forthcoming. Under intense fire and with complete disregard of his own safety, he stood on the bank encouraging his men and assisting in the work, and when the bridge was repaired, attempted to rush across at the head of his battalion and was killed while so doing.
“The passage of the canal was of vital importance, and the gallantry displayed by all ranks was largely due to the inspiring example set by Lieut.-Colonel Marshall.”
Appendix B
Alphabetical List of W.O.’s, N.C.O.’s, and Men
Killed in Action or Died of Wounds or Disease, 1914-1918.
1ST BATTALION IRISH GUARDS
Abbey, John, 3913, L.- Cpl., k. in a. |