The Sunday telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1914-1927, 1914-12-20
AS Highest Reward for Signal
ActSofl valor or Devotion in
Presence Enemy.

L Il - Il
(correspondence of Associated psess,.
LONDON, Dec. 19.-The granting OF
ten Victoria crosses within the last
Few weeks brings the total number of
these awards during the present war
up to twenty7one.
The cross is the highest reward Civ
en- to the British army 'for some Sig
MAI act Of valor or devotion perform
led in the presence Of the enemy. /,
The medal is in the form of NAL
tese cross OF bronze, bearing in the
center the royal crown, surmounted
lby the lion, and below on scroll,
the words ''For valor." The ribbon
Is blue for the navy and red for the
army. The decoration is accompanied
by pension of fifty dollars a year.
Official lists Of surviving holders OF
\ the honor at the beginning of the
present war 2 contained about 100
names.
Ten Latest Awards.
The ten latest ~. c." awards are
as follows: So 4.
Private Sidney Cooley, Royal Fus-
liers; For GOODNESS and gallantry in
fighting his machine gun under a hot
fire for two hours after he had been
wounded at Mons on August 90.
Driver Job Drain, and Driver Fred
erick Luke. Royal Field Artillery: At
LeCateau on August 26, as volunteers
helping to save guns under fire from
hostile infantry 100 yards away.
Major Charles Yate, deceased,
Kings Own Light Infantry: Com
manded one of two companies that
remained to end in trenches at LeCat-
eou on August 26; when all other of
ficers killed or wounded, led his nine
teen survivors in gallant charges.
Wounded; died in hands of oppon-
ents.
Lance Corporal Frederick Holmes,
Kings Own Light Infantry: At Lee
eateau on August 26 carried wounded
man from trenches under heavy fire;
later assisted to drive a gun out Of
action by taking place of wounded
driver.
Captain Edward Bradbury, deceas-
ed, Royal Horse Artillery: Organized
defense OF batter yagainst heavy odds
at Merry on September 1. s-fa'i
Captain William Henry Johnston,
Royal Engineers: AT Missy on Sep
tember IA, under heavy fire worked
two rats bringing back wounded and
returning with ammunition
Drummer Spence John Bent Ask
lancaster Regiment: For, taking
command and succeeding in holding
a position after his. officer had been
struck down, and other deeds of bray-
cry.
Bombardier. Ernest Harlock, now
Sergeant, Royal Field ARTILLERY: For
conspicuous gallantry on September
10 near vendresse;, although twice
wounded presisted in returning to lay
his gun each time after wounds were
dressed
Lance Corporal Dobson, Coldstream
Guards: For bringing wounded men
into cover on two occasions while UNI
der heavy fire.
Bradbury Most Conspicuous.
The most conspicuous OF these ten
heroes is Captain Bradbury, whose
battery L made a determined stand
near Compiegne on the last day OF
the retreat towards Paris. Battery L,
while covering the retreat, was at
tackled by a strong German force with
ten field guns and two maxims. Three
British guns were brought into action
but two Of them were quickly silenc-
ed. Bradbury and his men served the
remaining gun SO we'll, however, that
an but one Of the Ger7lan guns were
silenced, and when Battery l. was re-
lieyed this gun was captured. An ac-
count of the action says:
Captain Bradbury was the real
hero He got the gun into action and
gave eporders. Mundy knelt on one
side as ranging officer; Bradbury,
Campbell and Giffard, with the bat.
terry sergeant major, gunner and driv
err, served the gun Bradbury had one
leg taken OF, but still went on; Nun
dy and Campbell were killed. Brad
bury had his other leg taken of and
Giffard was badly wounded, but still
they kept the gun going; and when
Battery came UP they found the
Germans had bolted. Only the major
and Giffard, who received FIVE bullets,
survived"
Three v. C.'s have now been award
ed in connectionswith this fight, Ser.
geant Major Dorreils and Sergeant
Nelson having already received the
decoration. In addition. Lieutehant
Giffard, Gunner Darbyshire and Driv.
er Osborne were awarded French dec
l.orHfiOnEl- ~, j. i,.fiaIa 4