Personal info
- Name: Cyril Royston Guyton BASSETT
- D.O.B: 3rd Jan, 1892
- D.O.A: 10th Aug, 1915
- D.O.D: 9th Jan, 1983
- Award: Victoria Cross
- Occupation at time of action: Corporal, New Zealand Divisional Signal Company, Royal New Zealand Engineers, New Zealand Expeditionary Force
- Book: The Complete History - Volume 2
Rhododendron Spur, Chunuk Bair Ridge, Gallipoli, Turkey 7-10 August 1915
7-10 August 1915
The Gallipoli Campaign 25 April 1915–9 January 1916
As part of the diversionary attacks accompanying the landing at Suvla Bay, on the early morning of 8 August 1915 the Wellington Battalion, and troops from the 7th Gloucestershire and 8th Welsh advanced up Rhododendron Spur to the summit of Chunuk Bair, inland northeast of Anzac Cove, from which the Turkish defenders were found to have fled. However, when it grew light the Allies were exposed to a murderous fire from Hill Q to the north-east and from Battleship Hill to the south-west, which in particular commanded Rhododendron Spur to its north. Despite their perilously exposed position the New Zealanders held on grimly. To provide communications Corporal C R G Bassett, Divisional Signal Company, Royal New Zealand Engineers, laid a telephone wire up the Spur to the front line and kept it in use until he was relieved on the 10th. Chunuk Bair was recaptured by a Turkish counterattack on the same day.
Citation
For most conspicuous bravery and devotion to duty on the Chunuk Bair ridge in the Gallipoli Peninsula on 7th August, 1915. After the New Zealand Infantry Brigade had attacked and established itself on the ridge, Corporal Bassett, in full daylight and under a continuous and heavy fire, succeeded in laying a telephone line from the old position to the new one on Chunuk Bair. He has subsequently been brought to notice for further excellent and most gallant work connected with the repair of telephone lines by day and night under heavy fire.