Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1917-10-04
Winning The Victoria Cross.

One OF the most remarkable exploits
OF the war is that which won the Victoria
Cross for Private Wilson OF the Highland
Light Infantry. On September IA, 1914,
he killed two OF the enemy by remark
able long distance shots, and then, rush.
ing alone into a German position, cap
tured eight OF the enemy by clever nse
and freed two of his comrades.
But that feat only whetted his appetite
for glory, we read in Heroes OF the Great
War A Maxim gun concealed in the
wood began TO play upon the British
position, and men began TO fall on every
hand. As his companions dashed 10
cover, Wilson turned TO private OF the
Kings Royal Rifles who was nearest to
him, and cody remarked:
"Mon, I'm angry wi yon gun-and
I'm gaun 10 stop II 70
Having said that, he began 10 crawl
toward the wood among a perfect hur-
ricane OF bullets. The rifleman to whom
he had spoken followed, but he very
soon fell, badly wounded.
Wilson went on alone, and managed
10 dodge the bullets by dashing from
haystack TO haystack across the field.
All the time he was raging inwardly.
He was determined 10 reach the gun and
put it out OF action, to avenge the poor
rifleman.
He reached another haystack, leveled
his rifle, took careful aim, and the Ger
man behind the Maxim fell dead. An
other German took the place oil the dead
man. Wilson exposed himself TO make
sure OF his aim; his rifle clicked, and the
second operator fell A third man start
ed to fire the gun, only TO meet the fate
that had befalen his two predecessors.
Then fourth and a fifth and sixth
German fell. Wilson's shooting was
uncannY in its deadly accuracy. Had he
missed once, the operator at the Maxim
would have speedily riddled him with
bullets.
Wilson waited for few minutes after
the sixth man fell. Then, having come
to the conclusion that The entire guns
crew had been killed, he crept forward
TO take his prize. A German officer rose
in his path and fired point-bank, but
missed his aim; Wilson quickly bayonet-
ed him. That was the nsuowest OF Viii
sons many escapes. for the officers bull
let had gazed his head.
Wilson had gained the prize for which
he had risked his life, but he was not
permitted TO retain il undisputed. He
observed large company OF Germans
approaching. Instead OF beating retreat,
the brave Scot sIued The gun round and
opened fire. He worked the gun as
skillfulIy as he had handled his rifle. and
moved down scores OF the enemy. He
was fired at by the German artillery
as we'll as by the infantrYmen, and. as
the place became unpleasantly warm,
Wilson decided il was time 10 advance
TO the rear.
The Scottish lion reached the British
lines unscathed, notwithstanding the
shells that continued 10 burst round him.
Then he tainted When he recovered
he asked if the gun had been brought in.
Being told that il had not been fetched,
he staggered up and again went out 10
face the shells He soon returned, car
rying the gun on his shoulders.
There's the gun, sirp' he said, throw
ing il down before his officer and saluting.
Even that did not satisfy him. and he
must needs 90 TO bring back the am
munition. Having accomplished That.
he remembered the comrade who had
started off with him, and without word
to anyone he faced the shrapneI yet
again. He found his pal" still living,
although riddled with seventeen bullets,
and dragged him TO the trench, where he
died the next day.