The AIF Project

'On the 15th October, 1917, east of WESTHOEK, the 49th Battery position was shelled by enemy 8S Howitzer Battery, one gun being blown out of its pit by a direct hit on the emplacement. No. 11986 Corporal Leslie PRYDE knowing that two men were cleaning one of the guns near this emplacement, accompanied by another N.C.O. without hesitation, ran from his dug out to the gun to see if these men were wounded and required attention. In doing this they had to pass through a position which was being heavily shelled by an enemy 5.9S Howitzer Battery. He reached the position and found the two men killed. Meanwhile one of the ammunition dumps had been hit and set alight. These N.C.O.s at once, and at great personal risk from the bursting shells, extinguished the fire and pulled away rounds which were likely to explode, thus saving about 600 rounds, 400 rounds having exploded. The gallant action of this N.C.O. is deserving of special recognition. Awarded Military Medal 2nd October, 1917.'
Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 95
Date: 27 June 1918