Personal info
- Name: Henry WEALE
- D.O.B: 2nd October, 1895
- D.O.A: 26th August, 1918
- D.O.D: 13th January, 1959
- Award: Victoria Cross
- Occupation at time of action: Lance Corporal, 14th Battalion The Royal Welsh Fusiliers, 113th Brigade, 38th Division
- Book: The Complete History - Volume 2
South-west of Bapaume, France 26 August 1918
26 August 1918
The First World War 1918
On 26 August 1918, the British advance against Bapaume continued, though the town itself was not to fall until the 29th. An objective of 1st Brigade, New Zealand Division, was Thilloy, just south-west of the town. However, the Germans had reinforced their positions and hung on grimly. Further south, four battalions of The Royal Welsh Fusiliers advanced against Longueval, south-east of Martinpuich, partly in order to drive the enemy out of High Wood, which lay between the two villages. Though they met heavy resistance, the 14th Battalion succeeded in pushing the Germans out of Bazentin-le-Grand and began to advance along the Longueval road after them before being forced to withdraw to a position 500 yards east of Bazentin-le-Grand.
Citation
For most conspicuous bravery and initiative in attack. The adjacent battalion having been held up by enemy machine guns, L./Cpl. Weale was ordered to deal with the hostile posts. When his Lewis gun failed him, on his own initiative he rushed the nearest posts and killed the crew, then went for the others, the crews of which fled on his approach, this gallant N.C.O. pursuing them. His very dashing deed cleared the way for the advance, inspired his comrades, and resulted in the capture of all the machine guns.
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