British troops at Aveluy
Wood, November 1916
[Imperial War Museum Q1564 reproduced
under IWM Non Commercial Licence]
Thursday
12th September 1918: Leighton Buzzard officer Second Lieutenant
Henry Guess of the Royal West Kent Regiment attended Buckingham Palace
yesterday and was presented with the Military Cross by the King. This was
awarded to him for his courage and leadership at Aveluy Wood last March. The
commendation reads:
“He
displayed great courage in controlling his men during a determined hostile
attack, and later, when the enemy penetrated the line, he organised his platoon
to cover the portion that was broken and then, counter-attacking, regained all
lost ground. His services were of the utmost value to his company commander.”
Lieutenant Guess joined the
Army in 1914 and has spent much time on active service. He was mentioned in
despatches during the Battle of the Somme in 1916, and was promoted from the
ranks in 1917. In June he was seriously wounded by shrapnel during fighting
around Albert, being hit in the neck, left shoulder and left leg. The leg wound
was particularly severe and he is still on sick leave.
Source:
Leighton Buzzard Observer, 17th September 1918
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