Leonard James Keyworth ["Tales of the V.C."], item 4

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TALES OF THE V. C.

Pte. LEONARD JAMES KEYWORTH, 24th London Regt. (The Queen's

(By Lieut. J. P. Lloyd).


  On the night of the 25/26th May, 1915, the 24th London

Regiment (The Queen's) went forward to attack the German Positions

near Givenchy village, on the left of the La Bassée canal.

The Germans were entrenched on the forward slope of the low hill,

but in spite of this natural advantage they were forced out of 

their first line with "bomb and bayonet".

  Encouraged by their success, the Queen's made valiant

attempts to gain more ground, but the Germans had had time to

reorganise their defense, and offered a stubborn resistance.

Again and again the British bombers tried to bomb their way into

the enemy's trenches, but the Germans, being on higher ground, were

able to outrage them. When day broke, few of the bombers who

had gone into action with the Queen's were left unwounded.

  It was for his wonderful bravery throughout this grim

struggle that Private Keyworth was awarded the Victoria Cross.

The simple story in the London Gazette which describes his conduct

gives comparatively little indication of the courage and endurance

which he displayed that night.

  When Private Keyworth, with the other bombers of his

company, arrived at the foot of the German parapet, he found that

while the enemy could easily reach him with their bombs, his

own were continually falling short. And, in an attack, there is

no room for wasted bombs. The attackers must often carry their

supplies a long way; the defenders have them ready to their hands.

But he soon solved that problem. He determined to stand on the

parapet. That he would almost certainly be killed did not weigh

with him at all. He could throw further - that was all that

mattered. Down below he had had cover of a sort. Up there on 

the parapet he was an easy target for the enemy German sniper and

bomber

Transcription saved

TALES OF THE V. C.

Pte. LEONARD JAMES KEYWORTH, 24th London Regt. (The Queen's

(By Lieut. J. P. Lloyd).


  On the night of the 25/26th May, 1915, the 24th London

Regiment (The Queen's) went forward to attack the German Positions

near Givenchy village, on the left of the La Bassée canal.

The Germans were entrenched on the forward slope of the low hill,

but in spite of this natural advantage they were forced out of 

their first line with "bomb and bayonet".

  Encouraged by their success, the Queen's made valiant

attempts to gain more ground, but the Germans had had time to

reorganise their defense, and offered a stubborn resistance.

Again and again the British bombers tried to bomb their way into

the enemy's trenches, but the Germans, being on higher ground, were

able to outrage them. When day broke, few of the bombers who

had gone into action with the Queen's were left unwounded.

  It was for his wonderful bravery throughout this grim

struggle that Private Keyworth was awarded the Victoria Cross.

The simple story in the London Gazette which describes his conduct

gives comparatively little indication of the courage and endurance

which he displayed that night.

  When Private Keyworth, with the other bombers of his

company, arrived at the foot of the German parapet, he found that

while the enemy could easily reach him with their bombs, his

own were continually falling short. And, in an attack, there is

no room for wasted bombs. The attackers must often carry their

supplies a long way; the defenders have them ready to their hands.

But he soon solved that problem. He determined to stand on the

parapet. That he would almost certainly be killed did not weigh

with him at all. He could throw further - that was all that

mattered. Down below he had had cover of a sort. Up there on 

the parapet he was an easy target for the enemy German sniper and

bomber


Transcription history
  • January 18, 2018 03:44:53 Thomas A. Lingner

    TALES OF THE V. C.

    Pte. LEONARD JAMES KEYWORTH, 24th London Regt. (The Queen's

    (By Lieut. J. P. Lloyd).


      On the night of the 25/26th May, 1915, the 24th London

    Regiment (The Queen's) went forward to attack the German Positions

    near Givenchy village, on the left of the La Bassée canal.

    The Germans were entrenched on the forward slope of the low hill,

    but in spite of this natural advantage they were forced out of 

    their first line with "bomb and bayonet".

      Encouraged by their success, the Queen's made valiant

    attempts to gain more ground, but the Germans had had time to

    reorganise their defense, and offered a stubborn resistance.

    Again and again the British bombers tried to bomb their way into

    the enemy's trenches, but the Germans, being on higher ground, were

    able to outrage them. When day broke, few of the bombers who

    had gone into action with the Queen's were left unwounded.

      It was for his wonderful bravery throughout this grim

    struggle that Private Keyworth was awarded the Victoria Cross.

    The simple story in the London Gazette which describes his conduct

    gives comparatively little indication of the courage and endurance

    which he displayed that night.

      When Private Keyworth, with the other bombers of his

    company, arrived at the foot of the German parapet, he found that

    while the enemy could easily reach him with their bombs, his

    own were continually falling short. And, in an attack, there is

    no room for wasted bombs. The attackers must often carry their

    supplies a long way; the defenders have them ready to their hands.

    But he soon solved that problem. He determined to stand on the

    parapet. That he would almost certainly be killed did not weigh

    with him at all. He could throw further - that was all that

    mattered. Down below he had had cover of a sort. Up there on 

    the parapet he was an easy target for the enemy German sniper and

    bomber

Description

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  • 50.5289395||2.757408400000031||

    Givenchy

    ||1
Location(s)
  • Story location Givenchy
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ID
5456 / 60676
Source
http://europeana1914-1918.eu/...
Contributor
Jeremy Arter
License
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/


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