Personal info
- Name: Martin MOFFATT
- D.O.B: 15th Apr, 1884
- D.O.A: 14th Oct, 1918
- D.O.D: 7th Jan, 1946
- Award: Victoria Cross
- Occupation at time of action: Private, 2nd Battalion The Prince of Wales’s Leinster Regiment (Royal Canadians), 88th Brigade, 29th Division
- Book: The Complete History - Volume 2
The Battle of Courtrai, Belgium 14, 20 October 1918
14 and 20 October 1918
The First World War 1918
The final Battle of Ypres opened on 28 September 1918 but had been halted on 2 October 1918. Second Army now held a line from north of Ledegem, running south through Comines to Armentières. The Allied offensive resumed on 14 October 1918, the first day of the Battle of Courtrai. In the north 9th and 29th Divisions swept forward taking Ledegem, passing north of Moorsele and almost reaching Gullegem, north-west of Courtrai. Part of Courtrai was captured on the 16th and by the morning of the 20th, Second Army was across the Lys Canal, which ran north-east from Courtrai. That day the British began to push forward towards the Scheldt. 29th Division now advanced south-east from Gullegem, parallel with the Courtrai-Bossuit Canal, as far as St-Louis (St-Lodewijk).
Citation
For most conspicuous bravery and devotion to duty on the 14th October, 1918, near Ledeghem, when, advancing with five comrades across the open, the party suddenly came under heavy rifle fire at close range from a strongly held house. Rushing towards the house through a hail of bullets, Pte. Moffat threw bombs, and then, working to the back of the house, rushed the door single-handed, killing two and capturing thirty of the enemy. He displayed the greatest valour and initiative throughout.
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