Military Cross

THIS PAGE IS STILL UNDER CONSTRUCTION

A total of 35 Military Crosses, six bar to MC and two second bar to MC were awarded to members of the 52nd Battalion for actions while serving with the unit.

• Abbott, Edward Lyman, Lt
  "For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He handled his men in the most able manner, and successfully led them through an intense barrage. He set a fine example of courage and initiative" (London Gazette 30204/p29, 24 July 1917).
  
  
  Bar to MC
  52nd Bn War Diary, October 1917, Appendix 2.
  
  "For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty when in command of a company in a raid on the enemy's trenches. He led his men with the greatest courage and determination, drove the garrison from the enemy's position, and also attacked and dispersed a hostile working party which outnumbered his force. He blew up the enemy dug-outs, and held the position covering the withdrawl of the remainder of the raiding party, and was the last to leave the enemy's trench. His gallantry and leadership contributed materially to the great success of the enterprise" (London Gazette 30583/p3419, 15 March 1918).
  
  Lt Abbott won his Bar to MC for work during a raid at Lens shortly after the battle for Hill 70.
  
  
• Beaver, William George, Lt
  "For conspicuous gallantry and ability. On 28th September, 1918, his battalion made an attack on the enemy position in the Marcoing line, east of Bourlon Wood. The attack was held up. Only a few reports on the situation got back to battalion headquarters. He at once went forward and made a reconnaissance under continuous fire, and returned to headquarters with important information. On the 1st October he made another daring reconnaissance, and afterwards took command of the remaining elements of his battalion, handling them most ably" (LG 31583/p140, 03 October 1919).
  
  
• Donaldson, Ralph Wilfred, Lt
  "For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He carried out a daring reconnaissance of the enemy's position, and brought back most valuable information. He set a fine example of courage and initiative" (LG 30135/p28, 15 June 1917).
  
  
• Dougall, William, Lt,
  52nd Bn War Diary, 23 July 1916
  
  "For conspicuous gallantry when leading a successful raid into the enemy's trenches. He captured two prisoners and brought back valuable information" (London Gazette 29713/p8232, 18 August 1916).
  
  Lt Dougall won his MC for work during a raid on 08 July 1916.
  
  
• Fryer, H C, Lt (A/Maj)
  8 19 1916/ 9 16 1916
  
  
• Grant, Herve Murray, Lt
  52nd Bn War Diary, October 1917, Appendix 2.
  
  "For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty in a raid on the enemy's position. His excellent leadership and gallantry materially contributed to the complete success of the undertaking, during which the entire objective was captured, the garrison were destroyed or taken prisoners, and four machine-guns were captured. Owing to casualties he took command of his company and carried out the plan of operations with great success" (London Gazette 30583/p3435, 15 March 1918).
  
  Lt Grant won his MC for work during a raid at Lens shortly after the battle for Hill 70.
  
  
• Haddock, William Walter, Lt
  "On 28th September, 1918, west of Cambrai, he behaved with great skill and gallantry in the attack on the Marcoing line, west of Cambrai. When his company commander was killed, besides those of two other companies, he took command and made a reorganisation of three companies under very heavy fire. While leading the attack he received a serious wound. His conduct throughout was a fine example to those with him" (LG 31680/p106, 09 December 1919).
  
  
• Hardy, Joseph Robson, Lt
  "For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty when in command of his platoon in an assault.  He led his men against the hostile "pill-boxes" and captured several together with prisoners and machine guns. When the enemy placed a heavy barrage on our lines prior to a counter-attack, he kept his men steady, and when the enemy attacked repulsed them completely, taking many more prisoners" (LG 30651/p38, 23 April 1918).
  
  
  Bar to MC
  "For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. After having, with another officer, made several daring reconnaissances both by day and night, this officer led a raid against the enemy front line. On entering the trench he was held up by a machine gun, which he immediately rushed with a section, capturing the gun and one prisoner. Getting separated from his men, he had a personal encounter with another machine-gun post, and put the gun out of action. He was slightly wounded before withdrawing, after a very successful operation, largely due to his dash and example" (LG 30901/p57, 13 September 1918).
  
  
  2nd Bar to MC
  "For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty at Bois de Vert on 27th August, 1918, when his company commander became a casualty during the attack. He took command and led the men forward without hesitation, later on reorganising for a second attack, which he directed with success" (LG 31158/p21, 31 January 1919).
  
  
• Harmon, Burdette William, Lt
  "For conspicuous gallantry in action.  He led a raiding party into the enemy's trench bombed three dug-outs, inflicting many casualties on the enemy, and brought back two unwounded prisoners" (LG 29940/p9, 13 February 1917).
  
  
• Holland, Arthur Ernest Hall, Lt
  "For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty when in command of his platoon in an attack. When the original attack failed he advanced his men through a heavy barrage to hold the line, and later led them across a march in the face of machine-gun and rifle fire, and successfully attacked the enemy" (LG 30651/p39, 23 April 1918).
  
  
• Johnstone, William, Lt
  "For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty in leading his men to an attack through a heavy barrage. When progress was held up by machine-gun and rifle fire from "pill-boxes," he at once led the attack upon them. When the enemy threw bombs at his party he repeatedly picked them up and threw them back, and thus enables the main party to seize the first "pill-box." Although wounded, he remained on duty, and assisted in the capture of the remaining "pill-boxes" and the repulse of counter-attacks, in which more prisoners were taken" (LG 30651/p39, 23 April 1918).
  
  
  Bar to MC
  "For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. After making a series of daring reconnaissances he led a raiding party to secure an identification. With great skill he penetrated 300 yards inside hostile lines, and then concealed his party until an enemy party with fixed bayonets appeared down their communication trench. In the fight that ensued Lt. Johnstone was wounded, but shot two of the enemy, and the latter, after suffering several casualties, ran away. He then returned with all his party, having secured the required identification. His courage and initiative throughout were most marked" (LG 30950/p12, 11 October 1918).
  
  
• Kavanagh, John Henry, Lt
  "For exceptional gallentry and initiative throughout an attack. When his company commander was badly wounded he assumed command, and by his fine courage and tactical ability beat off a counter-attack, in which he was greatly outnumbered"(LG 31119/p82, 10 January 1919).
  
  
• Keall, Frank Alfred, Lt
  "For most conspicuous gallantry and determined leadership of his company on the 1st October, 1918, on the enemy positions north of Tilloy. At one point he was held up by a large number of enemy machine guns. These he attacked successfully, capturing about 150 prisoners and 20 machine guns. Later, an enemy field gun firing over open sights was captured and the hilltop cleared of the enemy. He was shortly afterwards wounded, but continued to lead his men"(LG 31583/p148, 03 October 1919).
  
  
• MacKinnon, Albert Wallace, Lt
  "For conspicuous gallantry and initiative in command of the leading company in the advance from Raismes to the canal in Bruay, on 22nd/23rd October, 1918. By careful reconnaissance he ascertained the enemy's dispositions, and then moved his company forward several miles at great speed, capturing three villages, although his flank was wxposed. That night he again reconnoitred ahead, and took up a position which at daybreak resulted in the capture of Bruay and at the same time cut off the enemy's retreat over the canal" (LG 31680/p109, 09 December 1919).
  
  
• Maples, Reginald Clegg, QM (HCapt)
  "For conspicuous gallantry and initiative during the advance to the canal at Valenciennes, on 22nd/23rd OCtober, 1918. He took personal charge of the transport, and by untiring efforts kept it up with the advance, thus permitting rapid progress and the complete outflanking of the enemy. Mined roads and heavy shelling, causing casualties to men and animals, were overcome by his judgment and energy" (LG 31680/p109, 09 December 1919).
  
  
• McCaghey, Norman Fraser, Capt (A/Maj)
  "For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. This officer, after several daring reconnaissances by day and night, organised a raiding party, which, under his direction, entered the enemy trenches at 3 a.m., without being observed, penetrating to a strong point where they killed or wounded twenty-five, and brought back two prisoners for identification, and also a machine gun. The surprise was so complete that the raiders had only three slight casualties" (LG 30901/p190, 13 September, 1918).
  
  
  Bar to MC
  not listed by Riddle and Mitchell
  
  
• McCool, Charles Wesley, Lt
  "Before Cambrai, for courage and skill in making reconnaissances and leading his men on 28th September and 1st October, 1918. After the attack on the Marcoing line, under heavy fire he went forward and brought back a full report to battalion headquarters of the disposition of the companies. Later, he established a liaison with the troops on the left, and subsequently made another trip to all the companies in order to carry an important message from the C.O. as to a subsequent attack"(LG 31583/p150, 03 October 1919).
  
  
• McLean, Harry Clarence, Lt
  "For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty at Bois de Vert on 27th August, 1918. When his company commander was wounded he jumped on to high ground and rallied the company round him, and under extremely heavy machine-gun fire, carried the final objective with great dash"(LG 31158/p117, 31 January 1919).
  
  
• Millican, George William Harold, Lt
  "For conspicuous gallantry in action. He led a raiding party into the enemy's lines, bombed dug-outs, inflicting heavy casualties on the enemy, and assisted in the capture of four prisoners"(LG 29940/p10, 13 February 1917).
  
  
• Morrison, Allan, Lt
  "On the 28th September, 1918, he went forward to the attack on the Marcoing line with his company. The attack was held up owing to heavy machine-gun fire. All the officers in the four companies, except himself, became casualties. He immediately assumed control of all the men of his battalion that he could find, and, under heavy fire, reorganised them. On 1st October he led his company with splendid dash to the attack of enemy machine-gun nests, securing the capture of some 150 prisoners and twenty machine guns. He did fine work"(LG 31680/p111, 09 December 1919).
  
  
• Munroe, Finlay, Capt, CAMC (Attached to 52nd Bn)
  "For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty in dressing and attending to wounded during a hostile barrage. This officer has always disregarded personal danger, and has undoubtedly saved many lives on the battlefield" (LG 31043/p76, 29 November 1918).
  
  
• O'Kelly, Christopher Patrick John, Lt
  "For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty in leading his platoon through heavy wire against the enemy trenches. Having reached and captured his objective, he led a bombing party against a hostile machine gun which was firing on his flank. He bombed the crew and captured the gun, by his gallant conduct and fine leadership saving his company many casualties and setting a fine example to all ranks" (LG 30466/p105, 08 January 1918).
  
  
• Oxenham, Hugh Walter, Capt
  "For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty at Bois de Vert on 27th August, 1918. He took command of the company after his company officer was killed, reorganised it, and with only one officer to help him, led it forward with success until he was badly wounded"(LG 31158/p119, 31 January 1919).
  
  
• Raymond, John Green-Armytage, Lt
  52nd Bn War Diary, October 1917, Appendix 2.
  
  "For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty in a raid on the enemy's trenches. The advance was temporarily held up by an enemy strong point which had not previously been located. He at once led two bombers to the attack, and, though twice driven back, at the third attempt rushed the position, killing or dispersing the occupants and capturing the machine-gun, thus enabling the advance to continue. His courage and leadership were magnificent" (London Gazette 30583/p3435, 15 March 1918).
  
  Lt Raymond won his MC for work during a raid at Lens shortly after the battle of Hill 70.
  
  
• Ridgeway, Robert Weston, HCapt (Rev), Can Chap Serv (Attached to 52nd Bn)
  
  
  Bar to MC
  "For conspicuous courage and devotion to duty. When very severe casualties had occurred in the battalion he worked unceasingly under fire, tending the wounded. Absolutely regardless of personal danger, and in spite of physical exhaustion, he carried on until every casualty had been attended to. His untiring efforts and rare courage were a great inspiration to all, and no words can describe the admiration that is felt for him throughout the battalion" (LG 31119/p25, 10 January 1919).
  
  
• Rutherford, Gerald Stuart, Capt
  New Year award, no citation (LG 31092/p32, 31 December 1918).
  
  

• Smith, Clarence Everitt, Lt
  "For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty when in command of a raiding party. He led his men in the most gallant manner, inflicted many casualties on the enemy, and brought back invaluable information. He was wounded" (LG 30135/p6006, 15 June 1917).
  
  In the weeks prior to the assault on Vimy Ridge, the task of the 52nd Bn was to conduct patrols into the enemy lines in front of 3rd Div in order to provide information for the assault. Lt Smith's raiding party on the night of 3 - 4 April 1917 was one of those patrols.
  

• Smith, William Martin, Lt
  "For conspicuous courage and devotion to duty in a raid on the enemy's trenches. When the raiding party came under heavy machine-gun fire from a flank he at once collected a few men and led them in an attack on the gun. His men killed the whole of the gun team, and he personally put the gun out of action. He showed splendid initiative and determination" (LG 30681/p14, 10 May 1918).
  

• Strong, John William, Lt (A/Capt)
  "He showed great skill and courage in reconnaissance prior to an attack. When the attack was launched he kept two attacking parties in touch with each otehr, and was constantly exposed to heavy fire in doing so. He was of great assistance to his commanding officer in arranging dispositions. He personally reconnoitred ahead and kept touch with the enemy. During the afternoon when a strong counter-attack was launched he assisted in bringing up reinforcements to the threatened part of the line" (LG 31119/p89, 10 January 1919).
  
  
• Vanderpump, Archibald Edward, Capt
  "For conspicuous gallantry and initiative. During an attack when the battalion was heavily counter-attacked, hed steadied his men under severe machine-gun and artillery fire, and then led them forward to the support of the right flank. His coolness and initiative at a critical time was largely instrumental in completely overthrowing the enemy's attack" (LG 31119/p89, 10 January 1919).
  
  

• Watson, Frederick Roy, Lt
  "For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He made a daring reconnaissance to locate enemy posts, and during the raid that followed personally maintained communication between the raiding parties, greatly contributing to the success of the raid. In many previous raids he has distinguished himself by his courage and ability" (LG 30950/p48, 11 October 1918).
  

• White, Albert Edward, Lt
  New Year award, no citation

• Whitehead, Ernest Christie, Lt
  "For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty at Bois de Vert on 27th August, 1918. When his company commander was killed and another company was left without an officer, he organised a composite company and led it forward, capturing the wood, Except for his prompt initiative the attack would have failed, as there was no one else available to take command" (LG 31158/p123, 31 January 1919).
  

• Wilcox, E R C, Capt
  1 9 1918
  

• Young, John Douglas, Capt
  52nd Bn War Diary, Dec 1917, Appendix 9.
  
  "For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty when in charge of a company in the front line. He personally reconnoitred two farms in hostile territory, finding one occupied and taking possession of it, locating machine guns, and obtaining all information necessary to ensure the capture of the other. When the commander of the company on his left became a casualty he took command of both companies, and by redistributing them in shell holes greatly reduced losses. He drove off an attack, dispersing parties of the enemy with machine-gun and rifle-grenade fire" (London Gazette 30780/p7936, 02 July 1918).
  
  Capt Young won his MC for work at Passchendaele.
  
  
  Bar to MC
  "This officer personally led his company for a flank attack with such sucess that the enemy second line of defence was taken by surprise. When, in the afternoon, the enemy launched a counter-attack, his company, which bore the brunt of it, was handled in a masterly manner. The courage, fearless leadership, and tactical ability he displayed greatly contributed to the complete sucess of the operations" (LG 31119/p27, 10 January 1919).
  
  
  2nd bar to MC
  "For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty at Bois de Vert on 27th August, 1918. After the initial attack, many officers having become casualties, he personally supervised the reorganisation of four companies of his battalion, besides parties from other units, and then led them with success against the next objective. He showed determination and tactical ability in directing this operation" (LG 31158/p21, 31 January 1919).