Personal info
- Name: Henry DALZIEL
- D.O.B: 18th Feb, 1893
- D.O.A: 4th Jul, 1918
- D.O.D: 24th Jul, 1965
- Award: Victoria Cross
- Occupation at time of action: Private, 15th Battalion (Queensland and Tasmania), 4th Brigade, 4th Division, Australian Imperial Force
- Book: The Complete History - Volume 2
Vaire and Hamel Woods, France 4 July 1918
4 July 1918
The First World War 1918
On 4 July 1918 4th Division, Australian Imperial Force, attacked the German salient at Le Hamel, east of Amiens, between the Somme and the Amiens-St Quentin road. Between Le Hamel and Villers-Bretonneux were Vaire Wood and, to its north-east, Hamel Wood, which both needed to be cleared of the enemy. In front of them, south-west of Le Hamel, ran the Germans’ Pear Trench. In the attack on this trench and its related strong-points, the 15th Battalion advanced to the north of the 16th Battalion. The Battle of Le Hamel was a conspicuous success.
Citation
For most conspicuous bravery and devotion to duty when in action with a Lewis gun section. His company met with determined resistance from a strong point which was strongly garrisoned, manned by numerous machine guns, and undamaged by our artillery fire, was also protected by strong wire entanglements. A heavy concentration of machine-gun fire caused many casualties, and held up our advance. His Lewis gun having come into action and silenced enemy guns in one direction, an enemy gun opened fire from another direction. Private Dalziel dashed at it, and with his revolver killed or captured the entire crew and gun, and allowed our advance to continue. He was severely wounded in the hand, but carried on and took part in the capture of the final objective. He twice went over open ground under heavy enemy artillery and machine-gun fire to secure ammunition, and though suffering from considerable loss of blood, he filled magazines and served his gun until severely wounded through the head. His magnificent bravery and devotion to duty was an inspiring example to all his comrades, and his dash and unselfish courage at a most critical time undoubtedly saved many lives and turned what would have been a severe check into a splendid success.