Okill Massey Learmonth
Major, 2nd Battalion. Eastern Ontario Regiment. Canadian Expeditionary Force
- Register No.
- 729 (Alf's numbering, from The Register of the Victoria Cross, 1997)
- Rank
- Major (register: Acting Major) all Majors →
- Unit
- 2nd Battalion. Eastern Ontario Regiment. Canadian Expeditionary Force (register: 2nd Battalion, CEF) all CEF VCs →
- Date of action
- 18 August 1917 on this day → all of 1917 →
- Conflict / campaign
- First World War
- London Gazette
- 8th November, 1917 on this day → all of 1917 →
- Born
- 22nd February 1894 at Quebec City, Canada
- Award
- Posthumous all posthumous VCs →
- Memorial / grave
- at Noeux-les Communal Cemetery, France
Digest of citation
East of Loos, on 18th August 1917, during a determined counter-attack on our new position, this officer, Acting Major Learmonth MC, when his company was momentarily surprised, personally charged and disposed of the attackers. Later carrying on a tremendous fight against the advancing enemy. Under intense barrage and although mortally wounded, he continuously bombed the enemy, by standing on the parapet of the trench, and directing operations and by his actions inspiring his men with a spirit of utmost resistance. Several times he caught the enemy bombs and threw them back. When he was eventually unable to continue, because of his wounds, he refused to be carried out of the line. He continued to give instructions and invaluable advice to his junior officers. He was finally taken to a hospital where he died of his wounds the following day
From Alf Askin's research notes
Reproduced as Alf wrote it, c. 2000–2005. Spelling and abbreviations are his own.
LEARMONTH, Okill Massey. (reg No. 729).
Major. 2nd Battalion. Eastern Ontario Regiment. Canadian Expeditionary Force.
London Gazetted on 8th November, 1917.
Born on 22nd February 1894 at Quebec City, Canada.
Died of his wounds on 19th August 1917 near Loos, France.
Memorial on grave at Noeux-les Communal Cemetery, France.
Digest of Citation reads: East of Loos, on 18th August 1917, during a determined counter-attack on our new position, this officer, Acting Major Learmonth MC, when his company was momentarily surprised, personally charged and disposed of the attackers. Later carrying on a tremendous fight against the advancing enemy. Under intense barrage and although mortally wounded, he continuously bombed the enemy, by standing on the parapet of the trench, and directing operations and by his actions inspiring his men with a spirit of utmost resistance. Several times he caught the enemy bombs and threw them back. When he was eventually unable to continue, because of his wounds, he refused to be carried out of the line. He continued to give instructions and invaluable advice to his junior officers. He was finally taken to a hospital where he died of his wounds the following day.
Additional information:. Major Learmonth also held the Military Cross (MC). More to be added.
Additional information
Major Learmonth also held the Military Cross (MC). More to be added.
Died of his wounds on 19th August 1917 near Loos, France.
Visit the grave or memorial
Alf recorded the memorial as: at Noeux-les Communal Cemetery, France
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