Personal info
- Name: John CUNNINGHAM
- D.O.B: 22nd Oct, 1890
- D.O.A: 12th Apr, 1917
- D.O.D: 16th Apr, 1917
- Award: Victoria Cross
- Occupation at time of action: Corporal, 2nd Battalion The Prince of Wales’s Leinster Regiment (Royal Canadians), 73rd Brigade, 24th Division
- Book: The Complete History - Volume 2
Bois-en-Hache, Vimy Ridge, France 12 April 1917
12 April 1917
The First World War 1917
On 12 April 1917, while British forces attacked and captured The Pimple, a hill west of Givenchy-en-Gohelle, which formed a strongpoint at the northernmost end of Vimy Ridge, 2nd Battalion The Prince of Wales’s Leinster Regiment and 9th Battalion The Royal Sussex Regiment captured the Bois-en-Hache on the eastern end of the Lorette Ridge across the River Souchez to the north-west.
Citation
For most conspicuous bravery and devotion to duty when in command of a Lewis Gun Section on the most exposed flank of the attack. His section came under heavy enfilade fire and suffered severely. Although wounded, he succeeded almost alone in reaching his objective with his gun, which he got into action in spite of much opposition. When counter-attacked by a party of twenty of the enemy, he exhausted his ammunition against them, then, standing in full view, he commenced throwing bombs. He was wounded again, and fell, but picked himself up and continued to fight single-handed with the enemy until his bombs were exhausted. He then made his way back to our lines with a fractured arm and other wounds. There is little doubt that the superb courage of this N.C.O. cleared up a most critical situation on the left flank of the attack. Cpl. Cunningham died in hospital from the effects of his wounds.
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