Richard Charles.* Travis
Sergeant, 2nd Battalion Otago Infantry Regiment NZEF
- Register No.
- 1227 (Alf's numbering, from The Register of the Victoria Cross, 1997)
- Rank
- Sergeant all Sergeants →
- Unit
- 2nd Battalion Otago Infantry Regiment NZEF all Otago Infantry Regiment VCs →
- Date of action
- 24 July 1918 on this day → all of 1918 →
- Conflict / campaign
- First World War
- London Gazette
- 27th September 1918 on this day → all of 1918 →
- Born
- 6th April 1884 at Otara,Opotiki, Southland, New Zealand
- Died
- 25th July 1918 at Rossignol Wood, France
- Award
- Posthumous all posthumous VCs →
- Memorial / grave
- Couin New British Cemetery, France and the HQ Dunedin RSA, New Zealand
Digest of citation
On 24 July1918 at Rossignol Wood, north of Hebuterne, France, it was necessary to destroy an impassable wire block and Sergeant Travis volunteered for this duty. In broad daylight and in close proximity to enemy posts he crawled out, successfully bombing the block and the attacking parties were able to pass through. A little later when a bombing party was held up by machine -guns Sergeant Travis rushed the position, capturing the guns and killing the crew, also an officer and three men who attacked him, thus enabling the bombing party to advance. He was killed next day while going from post to post ecouraging his men
From Alf Askin's research notes
Reproduced as Alf wrote it, c. 2000–2005. Spelling and abbreviations are his own.
TRAVIS, Richard Charles.* (Reg. No. 1227)
Sergeant 2nd Battalion Otago Infantry Regiment NZEF.
London Gazetted on 27th September 1918.
Born on 6th April 1884 at Otara,Opotiki, Southland, New Zealand.
Died on 25th July 1918 at Rossignol Wood, France.
Memorial at Couin New British Cemetery, France and the HQ Dunedin RSA, New Zealand.
Digest of Citation reads: On 24 July1918 at Rossignol Wood, north of Hebuterne, France, it was necessary to destroy an impassable wire block and Sergeant Travis volunteered for this duty. In broad daylight and in close proximity to enemy posts he crawled out, successfully bombing the block and the attacking parties were able to pass through. A little later when a bombing party was held up by machine -guns Sergeant Travis rushed the position, capturing the guns and killing the crew, also an officer and three men who attacked him, thus enabling the bombing party to advance. He was killed next day while going from post to post ecouraging his men .
Additional information: Sergeant Travis served in the European War (WW1) He held the Distinguished Conduct Medal as well as the Military Medal. He was awarded the Victoria Cross posthumously.
*Real name Dickson Cornelius SAVAGE.
Additional information
Sergeant Travis served in the European War (WW1) He held the Distinguished Conduct Medal as well as the Military Medal. He was awarded the Victoria Cross posthumously.
*Real name Dickson Cornelius SAVAGE.
Visit the grave or memorial
Alf recorded the memorial as: Couin New British Cemetery, France and the HQ Dunedin RSA, New Zealand
Map links open a search for the place name Alf recorded; please check opening times and exact locations before travelling. Many VC graves have since been restored by the Victoria Cross Trust.
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