John Sherwood-Kelly.

 

"For most conspicuous bravery and fearless leading, when a party of men of another unit detailed to over the passage of the canal by his battalion were held up on the near side of the cana by heavy rifle fire  directed on the bridge. Lieutenant Colonel Sherwood Kelly at once ordered covering fire, personally led his leading company across the canal and then reconnoitered, under heavy fire, the high ground held by the enemy. 

 

The left flank of his battalion advancing to the assault of this objective was held up by a thick belt of wire, whereupon he crossed to that flank and, with a Lewis gun team, forced his way under heavy fire through obstacles, got the gun in position on the far side and covered the advance of his battalion through the wire, thereby enabling them to capture the position.

 

Later he personally led a charge against some pits from which a heavy fire was being directed on his men, captured the pits, together with five machine-guns and forty six prisoners and killed a large number of the enemy.

 

The great gallantry displayed by this officer throughout the day inspired the greatest confidence in his men and it was mainly due to his example and devotion to duty, that his battalion was enabled to capture and hold thier objective."

 

The London Gazette - 11th January 1918.

 

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