The AIF Project

Recommendation date: 2 June 1917

'At PLOEGSTEERT on 1st June, 1917, these N.C.O.s and man, under the orders of Major E.T. DEAN, whilst the 18th Battery was being heavily shelled, displayed the greatest bravery and devotion to duty in extinguishing on three separate occasions fires which had broken out from the hostile shelling in treee gun pits of the battery and in several ammunition dumps. Whilst the gun pits were on fire, and the ammunition in them, and several dumps surrounding the battery were exploding, they brought buckets of water to the Battery Commander who was standing on top of the pit being dealt with, and worked in the pits with him putting out the fire. They subsequently put out the burning dumps, on more than one occasion boxes exploding whilst they were handling the dump. On the pits again catching fire under the heavy shelling they returned in the race of it and successfully renewed their efforts. Their disregard for personal safety, fine devotion and determination undoubtedly saved the guns and a large quantity of ammunition, 1,500 rounds only being destroyed out of some 5,000 stored at these pits.'
Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 219
Date: 20 December 1917