Christopher Patrick O'Kelly ["Tales of the V.C."], item 4

• January 5, 2018 18:13:46 Thomas A. Lingner

  Tales of the V.C.

  Lieut. Christopher Patrick O'Kelly, M.C.

  Canadian Infantry.

  (By Lt. J.P. Lloyd)

  
  

    During operations near PASSCHENDAELE  at the end

  of October 1917, the company of which Lt O'Kelly was in command

  was called upon to reinforce two battalions that had suffered

  severely in their efforts to capture a strong German position.

  The enemy were entrenched along the crest of a hill, and the

  whole of the ground over which our troops had to advance was

  under their observation and swept by their fire.

    Lt. O'Kelly went forward at the head of his men, and 

  led them under a storm of shells and machine gun fire towards

  their objective, nearly three-quarters of a mile away across

  open ground. Inspired by the coolness and determination of

  their leader, the company followed him without faltering,

  although their losses were growing heavier with every step

  they took.
    When the company was sufficiently close to the

  German position the order was passed along to charge, and,

  after a fierce struggle at close quarters, the enemy was driven out

  and the trench taken. But its possession was a mixed blessing.

  The enemy kept up a continuous fire from a line of "pillboxes"

  in rear of their old line, making any attempt at consolidation

  on our part almost impossible.

    Lt O'Kelly reorganised his company under cover of the

  trench and personally led a series of attacks upon the line

  of "pill-boxes". His company alone was responsible for the

  capture of no less than six of these strongholds, and in all 

  
  

  
  

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