Local Heroes
Recipients of the Victoria Cross
Cpl. 20765 John Thomas Davies, 11th Battalion South Lancashire Regiment
Near Eppeville, France, 24th March 1918.
For most conspicuous bravery and devotion to duty under heavy rifle and machine-gun fire. When his company - outflanked on both sides - received orders to withdraw, Corporal Davies knew that the only line of withdrawal lay through a deep stream with a belt of barbed wire, and that it was imperative to hold up the enemy as long as possible. He mounted the parapet, fully exposing himself, in order to get a more effective field of fire, and kept his Lewis gun in action to the last, causing the enemy many casualties and checking their advance. By his very great devotion to duty he enabled part of his company to get across the river, which they would otherwise have been unable to do, thus undoubtedly saving the lives of many of his comrades. When last seen this gallant N.C.O. was still firing his gun, with the enemy close on the top of him, and was in all probability killed at his gun.
[Citation from the London Gazette, 22 May 1918]