Personal info

  • Name: Leslie Wilton ANDREW
  • D.O.B: 23rd Mar, 1897
  • D.O.A: 31st Jul, 1917
  • D.O.D: 9th Jan, 1969
  • Award: Victoria Cross
  • Occupation at time of action: Corporal, 2nd Battalion The Wellington Infantry Regiment, New Zealand Expeditionary Force
  • Book: The Complete History - Volume 2
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Sources & Acknowledgements

La Basse Ville, Belgium 31 July 1917

31 July 1917

More details about:
The First World War 1917 

On 27 July 1917, as a diversion to the forthcoming Third Battle of Ypres, 2nd Battalion The Wellington Infantry Regiment, New Zealand Expeditionary Force, had attacked the village of La Basse Ville between Messines and Ploegsteert but failed to hold it. On 31 July 1917, to provide a further diversion on the opening day of the battle, they attacked it once more. In the course of the attack, Corporal L W Andrew captured two enemy machine-guns.

Citation

 For most conspicuous bravery when in charge of a small party in an attack on the enemy’s position. His objective was a machine gun post which had been located in an isolated building. On leading his men forward he encountered unexpectedly a machine gun post which was holding up the advance of another company; he immediately attacked, capturing the machine gun, and killing several of the crew. He then continued the attack on the machine gun post which had been his original objective. He displayed great skill and determination in his disposition, finally capturing the post, killing several of the enemy, and putting the remainder to flight. Cpl. Andrew’s conduct throughout was unexampled for cool daring, initiative, and fine leadership, and his magnificent example was a great stimulant to his comrades. 

Fifth Supplement to The London Gazette of 4 September 1917. 6 September 1917, Numb. 30272, p. 9260

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