Personal info

  • Name: Herbert George COLUMBINE
  • D.O.B: 28th Nov, 1893
  • D.O.A: 22nd Mar, 1918
  • D.O.D: 22nd Mar, 1918
  • Award: Victoria Cross
  • Occupation at time of action: Private, 9th Squadron, Machine Gun Corps, 9th Cavalry Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division
  • Book: The Complete History - Volume 2
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Sources & Acknowledgements

Hervilly Wood, France 22 March 1918

22 March 1918

More details about:
The First World War 1918 

On 22 March 1918, the day after the opening of the German Spring offensive, Private H G Columbine was part of a machine-gun crew in an exposed position in Hervilly Wood, east of Hervilly, north-west of St Quentin.

Citation

 For most conspicuous bravery and self-sacrifice displayed, when, owing to casualties, Pte. Columbine took over command of a gun and kept it firing from 9 a.m. till 1 p.m. in an isolated position with no wire in front. During this time wave after wave of the enemy failed to get up to him. Owing to his being attacked by a low-flying aeroplane the enemy at last gained a strong footing in the trench on either side. The position being untenable he ordered the two remaining men to get away, and, though being bombed from either side, kept his gun firing and inflicting tremendous losses. He was eventually killed by a bomb which blew up him and his gun. He showed throughout the highest valour, determination and self-sacrifice. 

Seventh Supplement to The London Gazette of 30 April 1918. 3 May 1918, Numb. 30667, p. 5354

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