Letter · 3 Nov 1917 · Flanders Fields, Belgium
Saving a German soldier's life
Citation for Distinguished Conduct Medal (DCM): 'For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty in an attack. He led a small party on his own initiative to fill a gap between his company and another unit. He rushed a pill-box which was inflicting casualties on two battalions and captured thirty prisoners and three machine guns. He showed the greatest initiative and courage throughout.' (London Gazette, 26 November 1917)
Extracts from this letter
"There was one incident I saw I will never forget. A Hun of about 19 years of age lay on the ground & one of our boys stood over him with the point of his bayonet on the Hun's stomach - he was saying 'I am going to kill you, you-'."
"The look of terror on that boy’s face was awful, and he was screaming for mercy."
"I could not see him killed. It was too much like murder. I knocked the N.Z. bayonet aside and dragged the Hun to his feet."
"That incident, I will never to my dying day forget but I suppose it is one of many in this land where Human Life is so cheap."
