Michael Heaviside
Private, 15th Battalion, Durham Light Infantry
- Register No.
- 554 (Alf's numbering, from The Register of the Victoria Cross, 1997)
- Rank
- Private all Privates →
- Unit
- 15th Battalion, Durham Light Infantry all Durham Light Infantry VCs →
- Date of action
- 6 May 1917 on this day → all of 1917 →
- Conflict / campaign
- First World War
- London Gazette
- 8th June 1917 on this day → all of 1917 →
- Born
- 20th October, 1880 at Durham
- Died
- 26th April, 1939 at Durham
- Memorial / grave
- not known
Digest of citation
On 6th May, 1917 near Fontaine-les-Croiselles, France, a wounded man was seen, at about 2pm, in a shell hole some 40 yards from the enemy line. It was impossible to rescue him during daylight, but Private Heaviside volunteered to take water and food to him. This he succeeded in doing, in spite of heavy gunfire, and found that the man was nearly demented with thirst and had been lying in the shell-hole for four days and three nights. The arrival of the water undoubtedly saved his life. Private Heaviside succeeded the same evening, with the help of two comrades, in rescuing the man
From Alf Askin's research notes
Reproduced as Alf wrote it, c. 2000–2005. Spelling and abbreviations are his own.
HEAVISIDE, Michael. (reg No. 554)
Private. 15th Battalion, Durham Light Infantry.
London Gazetted on 8th June 1917.
Born on 20th October, 1880 at Durham.
Died on 26th April, 1939 at Durham.
Memorial not known.
Digest of Citation reads: On 6th May, 1917 near Fontaine-les-Croiselles, France, a wounded man was seen, at about 2pm, in a shell hole some 40 yards from the enemy line. It was impossible to rescue him during daylight, but Private Heaviside volunteered to take water and food to him. This he succeeded in doing, in spite of heavy gunfire, and found that the man was nearly demented with thirst and had been lying in the shell-hole for four days and three nights. The arrival of the water undoubtedly saved his life. Private Heaviside succeeded the same evening, with the help of two comrades, in rescuing the man.
Visit the grave or memorial
Alf recorded the memorial as: not known
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