Personal info

  • Name: Michael Wilson HEAVISIDE
  • D.O.B: 28th Oct, 1880
  • D.O.A: 6th May, 1917
  • D.O.D: 26th Apr, 1939
  • Award: Victoria Cross
  • Occupation at time of action: Private, 15th Battalion The Durham Light Infantry, 64th Brigade, 21st Division
  • Book: The Complete History - Volume 2
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Sources & Acknowledgements

Fontaine-lès-Croisilles, France 6 May 1917

6 May 1917

More details about:
The First World War 1917 

On 3 May 1917, as part of the more general assault on the Hindenburg Line, 15th Battalion The Durham Light Infantry attacked German positions west of Fontaine-lès-Croisilles, south of the Arras-Cambrai road. Three days later a wounded man was spotted in no man’s land and Private M W Heaviside was awarded the VC for courageously rescuing him.

Citation

 For most conspicuous bravery and devotion to duty. When the Battalion was holding a block in the line a wounded man was observed about 2 p.m. in a shell hole some sixty yards in advance of our block and about forty yards from the enemy line. He was making signals of distress and holding up an empty water bottle. Owing to snipers and machine gun fire, it was impossible, during daylight, to send out a stretcher party. But Pte. Heaviside at once volunteered to carry water and food to the wounded man, despite the enemy fire. This he succeeded in doing, and found the man badly wounded and nearly demented with thirst. He had lain out for four days and three nights, and the arrival of the water undoubtedly saved his life. Pte. Heaviside, who is a stretcher bearer, succeeded the same evening, with the assistance of two comrades, in rescuing the wounded man. 

Second Supplement to The London Gazette of 8 June 1917. 8 June 1917, Numb. 30122, p. 5705

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