Samuel Thomas Dickson Wallace

From Alf Askin's research notes

Reproduced as Alf wrote it, c. 2000–2005. Spelling and abbreviations are his own.

WALLACE, Samuel Thomas Dickson. (reg No. 1262).

Lieutenant. 'C' Battery. Royal Field Artillery. * London Gazetted on 13th February 1918.

VC Medal's Custodian (on loan) is the Royal Regiment of Artillery Museum, The Royal Arsenal , Woolwich, London.

Born on a 7th March 1892 at Holmhill, Thornhill, Dumfriesshire.

Died on 2nd February 1968 at Moffatt, Scotland.

Memorial at Dumfries.

Digest of Citation reads: When Lieutenant Wallace's battery had lost their commander and five sergeants owing to shell, machine gun, infantry and aircraft fire, leaving only five remaining on the day of 20th November 1917 at Gonnelieu, France. They were surrounded by enemy infantry, both front and rear. Lieutenant Wallace maintained the firing of the guns, the remaining men running from gun to gun and loading each one after they had swung the trails closer together. They inflicted severe casualties on the enemy, firing continually the whole of the time for over eight hours. They managed to assist not only other batteries, but also enabled some small infantry detachments to gain positions against great odds. His men, completely exhausted, were able to retire when Infantry support arrived. Lieutenant Wallace rendered the guns harmless by taking away essential parts. He was also able to take the wounded men along. His guns were eventually recovered.

* 63rd Brigade Additional information:. Captain Wallace was made Deputy Director of Agriculture for the Central Province of India, from 1919 to 1932. He also served in the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve from 1940-43 as Flight Lieutenant. He was educated at Dumfriesshire Academy and also Edinburgh University where he obtained a BSc in Agriculture. He was a member of the OTC from 1911-14 before joining the army in October 1914 as a Lieutenant in the Royal Field Artillery.