Personal info
- Name: Percy Howard HANSEN
- D.O.B: 26th Oct, 1890
- D.O.A: 9th Aug, 1915
- D.O.D: 12th Feb, 1951
- Award: Victoria Cross
- Occupation at time of action: Captain, 6th Battalion The Lincolnshire Regiment, 33rd Brigade, 11th Division
- Book: The Complete History - Volume 2
Scimitar Hill, Suvla Bay, Gallipoli, Turkey 9 August 1915
9 August 1915
The Gallipoli Campaign 25 April 1915–9 January 1916
After the landing at Suvla Bay on the night of 6 August 1915, the Allies pressed forward across the dry Salt Lake beyond the shore and the 6th Lincolns captured Yilghin Burnu, christened ‘Chocolate Hill’ by the Allies. On 9 August the British attempted unsuccessfully to break out of the Suvla Plain by advancing into the high ground which surrounded it, aiming for Anafarta. Fighting raged round Scimitar Hill, parts of which changed hands several times, but by the end of the day the British had failed to secure it. Many men were left lying wounded on its slopes and when Turkish artillery set alight the scrub which covered it, Captain P H Hansen, adjutant of the 6th Lincolns, called for volunteers to help rescue them. Six of the wounded were saved.
Citation
For most conspicuous bravery on 9th August, 1915, at Yilghin Burnu, Gallipoli Peninsula. After the second capture of the “Green Knoll” his Battalion was forced to retire, leaving some wounded behind, owing to the intense heat from the scrub which had been set on fire. When the retirement was effected Captain Hansen, with three or four volunteers, on his own initiative, dashed forward several times some 300 to 400 yards over open ground into the scrub under a terrific fire, and succeeded in rescuing from inevitable death by burning no less than six wounded men.
Extra Information
(Subscription Required)