Personal info
- Name: David Philip HIRSCH
- D.O.B: 28th Dec, 1896
- D.O.A: 23rd Apr, 1917
- D.O.D: 23rd Apr, 1917
- Award: Victoria Cross
- Occupation at time of action: Acting Captain, 4th Battalion Alexandra, Princess of Wales’s Own (Yorkshire Regiment), 150th Brigade, 50th Division
- Book: The Complete History - Volume 2
Wancourt and Fontaine-lès-Croisilles, south-east of Arras, France 23 April 1917
23 April 1917
The First World War 1917
On 23 April 1917 British forces advanced against the Hindenburg Line along a nine-mile front east of Arras. 4th Battalion The Yorkshire Regiment attacked the Germans near Wancourt, south-east of the city, on the road between Monchy-le-Preux and Héninel, and 4th Battalion The Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders at Fontaine-lès-Croisilles, a mile or so south-east of Wancourt.
Citation
For most conspicuous bravery and devotion to duty in attack. Having arrived at the first objective, Capt. Hirsch, although already twice wounded, returned over fire-swept slopes to satisfy himself that the defensive flank was being established. Machine gun fire was so intense that it was necessary for him to be continuously up and down the line encouraging his men to dig and hold the position. He continued to encourage his men by standing on the parapet and steadying them in the face of machine gun fire and counter-attack until he was killed. His conduct throughout was a magnificent example of the greatest devotion to duty.