1941-03-28 — Page 7

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SERGT. JOHN HANNAH, V.C.. OF THE R.A.F. THE YOUNGEST V.C. OF THE WAR. During an attack on enemy barge concentra- tions, the 'plane in which Sergt. Hannah WAG acting as wireless operator ajr

received gunner direct hil. The shell burst in the bomo compartments and started a fire which quickly spread; both the port and starboard petrol tanks bad also been pierced. Al- though Hannah could have escap- cd he remained to fight the fire for 10 minutes, beating the flames with his log book when the ex- tinguishers were empty. During.. this time thousands of rounds of ammunition exploded in all direc- tions and aithough almost blinded by the intense heat and fumes, he had the presence of mind to turn on his oxygen supply. By his gal lant action Sergt. Hannah enabled his pilot to Uring the aircraft safe- ly to its basc.

ACTING FLIGHT LT. RODERICK ALASTAIR BROOK LEA - ROYD. V.C.-On the night of 12th August 1940, this officer was de- talled to attack a special objective on the Dortmund Ems Canal. To achieve success it wae necessary to approach through a lane of es- pecially disposed anti-aircraft defences and in the face of most in- tense point blank fire. Flight Lt. Learoyd nevertheless made his attack from 150 teet, his alrcraft being repeatedly Mit and large pieces of the main plane torn away. Almost blinded by the glare of search lights he pressed home his attack

with great resolution and Subsequently he brought his wrecked aircraft home.

akili.

LT. R. B. STANNARD, R.N.R.,

V.C., OF H.M. TRAWLER "ARAB." - When many tone of hand grenades on Namsos wharf had been, set on fire with no shore wator available, Lt. Stannard rammed the pler and held the "Arab" bow there. Sending all but two of his crew aft, he then endeavoured for two` hours to extin. guish the fire with hoses from the forecastle. `After 'holping other fahips against air attacks, he placed his own damaged vessel under shelter of a cliff, landed his crew and those of two other trawlers, and estabilihed an armed camp. Throughout, a per- [od of five days, 'the "Arab” was subjected to 31 Bombing, attacks and the camp and Lewis gun positions ashore were repeatedly machine gunned and bombed. Fin- ally when leaving the fjord, he was attacked by a German bomber, which he brought down.

ACTING LEADING BEAMAN JACK ́MANTLE OF 'H'M,S. “FOYLEBÄNK”— Mantle was in charge of the starboard" pom-pom when the "Foylebank" waslat- tacked by aircraft. Early In the action' his left leg was shattered by a bomb, but he stood fast at his gun, and went on firing with hand gear only, for the ship's elec

power had failed.

Almost at once he was wounded again. In many places.

tric

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DURHAM LIGHT INFANTRY—Sec. Lt. Richard W. Annand, V.C.; This offiber:won ROYAL NORFALO İREGIMENT.-0.8.M. GEORGE GRISTOCK, V.C. —L'Realls». his V.C. in action at the River Dyle, Belgium. The enemy launched a violent attack ing that an enemy machine-gun'"' had moved forward to a position from which' It Wan and pushed forward a bridging party into the sunken bottom of the river, Sec. Lt. Inflating heavy cheualties on His company, c.8.M: Gristock went on, with one man Annand attacked, this party, but when ammunition ran out he went forward him as connecting file, to try and put it out of action. While advancing he came under self over open ground with total, disregard for enemy, mortar and machine gun fire. · heavy machine-gun fire from the opposite bank and was severely wounded in both Reaching the top of the bridge, he drove out the party below, Infilating aver: 20 OR legs, his right knee being badly smashod. He gained his fire position, some 20 yarda sualties with hand grenades. Having been wounded, he rejoined his platoon, had from the enemy machine gun post, undetected, and by well almod rapid fire klHed 'He then dragdad. his wound dressed and then carried on In command. During the evening another:at- the machine-gun crew of four and put their gun out of action. talk was launched 'and adsin' Bec. Lt, Annand\went forward with hand grenades and himself brok. The scene was on the line of the River Exaut, south of Tournal,-bn Inflicted heavy casualties on the 'onamy.

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