Red Dragon Crater. 11th December 1917

[albert1997]

Is there a detailed report on the above engagement when Walter Mills was awarded the VC.

Has anyone any details on the soldier below. He was originally in the KOYLI but I don't know when he was transferred to the Manchesters.

Thank you

Albert


Name: NEVILLE
Initials: M
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Private
Regiment/Service: Manchester Regiment
Unit Text: 1st/10th Bn.
Age: 25
Date of Death: 11/12/1917
Service No: 376960
Additional information: Husband of Margaret Neville, of Crabtree Cottage, Rainsough, Prestwich, Manchester.
Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
Grave/Memorial Reference: V. C. 12.
Cemetery: GORRE BRITISH AND INDIAN CEMETERY

[timberman]

Hi albert

This gives a little bit of what happened.

Walter Mills
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Walter Mills
22 June 1894 – 11 December 1917


Place of birth   Oldham, Lancashire

Place of death   Givenchy, France

Resting place   Gorre British Cemetery, Beuvry

Allegiance    United Kingdom

Service/branch    British Army

Years of service   -1917  †

Rank   Private
Unit   The Manchester Regiment

Battles/wars   World War I

Awards   Victoria Cross

Walter Mills VC (22 June 1894 - 11 December 1917) was an English recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.
[edit] Details
He was 23 years old, and a private in C Company[1], the 1/10th Battalion, The Manchester Regiment, British Army, manning a position at Red Dragon Crater[1] near Givenchy, France, during the First World War when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.
On December 10 / December 11, 1917 at Givenchy, France, after an intense gas attack a strong enemy patrol tried to rush British posts, the garrisons of which had been overcome. Private Mills, although badly gassed himself, met the attack single-handed and continued to throw bombs until the arrival of reinforcements and remained at his post until the enemy had been finally driven off. While being carried away he died of gas poisoning but it was entirely due to him that the enemy was defeated and the line remained intact.
Mills was buried at Gorre British & Indian Cemetery, Nr Bethune, Pas-De-Calais, France.
His VC Medal was buried with his Daughter Ellen, who died in the 1920s.

Timberman