Gazette Information: GAZETTE ISSUE 30154, VICTORIA CROSS,: https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/30154/supplement/6381. His Majesty the KING has been graciously pleased to approve of the award of the Victoria Cross to the undermentioned:- No. 201154 Company Serjeant-Major Edward Brooks, Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry. For most conspicuous bravery. On 28th April 1917 at Fayet, near St Quentin, France, this Warrant Officer, while taking part in a raid on the enemy's trenches, saw that the front wave was checked by an enemy machine-gun at close quarters. On his own initiative, and regardless of personal danger, he rushed forward from the second wave with the object of capturing the gun, killing one of the gunners with his revolver and bayoneting another. The remainder of the gun's crew then made off, leaving the gun in his possession. Company Serjeant-Major Brooks then turned the machine-gun on to the retreating enemy, after which he carried it back into our lines. By his courage and initiative he undoubtedly prevented many casualties, and greatly added to the success of the operations.
Fold3_Team · Oct 31, 2023
Gazette Information: GAZETTE ISSUE 30154, VICTORIA CROSS,: https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/30154/supplement/6381. His Majesty the KING has been graciously pleased to approve of the award of the Victoria Cross to the undermentioned:- No. 201154 Company Serjeant-Major Edward Brooks, Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry. For most conspicuous bravery. On 28th April 1917 at Fayet, near St Quentin, France, this Warrant Officer, while taking part in a raid on the enemy's trenches, saw that the front wave was checked by an enemy machine-gun at close quarters. On his own initiative, and regardless of personal danger, he rushed forward from the second wave with the object of capturing the gun, killing one of the gunners with his revolver and bayoneting another. The remainder of the gun's crew then made off, leaving the gun in his possession. Company Serjeant-Major Brooks then turned the machine-gun on to the retreating enemy, after which he carried it back into our lines. By his courage and initiative he undoubtedly prevented many casualties, and greatly added to the success of the operations.