Walter Mills

Private, 1st/ 10th Battalion. Manchester Regiment

Register No.: 872 (Alf's numbering, from The Register of the Victoria Cross, 1997)
Rank: Private all Privates →
Unit: 1st/ 10th Battalion. Manchester Regiment all Manchester Regiment VCs →
Date of action: 10–11 December 1917 on this day → all of 1917 →
Conflict / campaign: First World War
London Gazette: 13th February, 1918 on this day → all of 1918 →
Born: 22nd June, 1894 at Oldham, Lancashire
Died: 11th December, 1917 Givenchy, France
Award: Posthumous all posthumous VCs →
Memorial / grave: at Gorre British Cemetery, France

Digest of citation

A strong enemy patrol endeavoured to rush our posts after a gas attack, which had caused the garrison to be overcome. In spite of being badly gassed himself, he met the attack single-handed, continuously throwing bombs until reinforcements arrived, remaining at his post until the enemy attack had been driven off. It was entirely due to his exertions that the enemy was defeated and the line was completely retained. It was whilst he was being carried to a Medical Station that he died

From Alf Askin's research notes

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

MILLS, Walter. (reg No. 872).

Private. 1st/ 10th Battalion. Manchester Regiment.

London Gazetted on 13th February, 1918.

Born 22nd June, 1894 at Oldham, Lancashire.

Died on 11th December, 1917 Givenchy, France.

Memorial on grave at Gorre British Cemetery, France.

Digest of Citation reads: A strong enemy patrol endeavoured to rush our posts after a gas attack, which had caused the garrison to be overcome. In spite of being badly gassed himself, he met the attack single-handed, continuously throwing bombs until reinforcements arrived, remaining at his post until the enemy attack had been driven off. It was entirely due to his exertions that the enemy was defeated and the line was completely retained. It was whilst he was being carried to a Medical Station that he died.

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Alf recorded the memorial as: at Gorre British Cemetery, France

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