'Gallantry and initiative near Wysschaete on 22 December 1917.'
Recommendation date: 27 December 1917

'On the night of 22nd December in front of WYSSCHAETE a mule team with engineers pontoon wagon, which was carting material to the vicinity of the front line, stampeded along a road leading right into the enemy's line. The move immediately drew down a smart enemy barrage and the Driver was knocked out of the saddle by the concussion of a shell. The wagon was loaded with cupolas and made considerable noise and the enemy opened up a heavy machine gun as well as artillery fire. All working parties were forced to take cover. Sergeant McColl was in charge of a party working near the road and as the runaways came close to the line, he dashed out in the open under heavy fire and, after being dragged for some distance, he succeeded in pulling the team up, receiving a machine gun bullet through the body just as he did so. Though very seriously wounded he hung on to the mules and held them till help arrived. His gallant action and self sacrifice were the means of saving the team and wagon and also averted serious complications for the wiring parties and garrison of the front line.'