Gazette Information: GAZETTE ISSUE 30372, VICTORIA CROSS,: https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/30372/supplement/11569. His Majesty the KING has been graciously pleased to approve of the award of the Victoria Cross to the undermentioned:- No. 428545 Private Michael James O'Rourke, Canadian Infantry. For most conspicuous bravery and devotion to duty during prolonged operations. For three days and nights, during the period 15th/17th August 1917 at Hill 60 near Lens, France, Private O'Rourke, who is a stretcher-bearer, worked unceasingly in bringing the wounded into safety, dressing them, and getting them food and water. During the whole of this period the area in which he worked was subjected to very severe shelling and swept by heavy machine-gun and rifle fire. On several occasions he was knocked down and partially buried by enemy shells. Seeing a comrade who had been blinded stumbling around ahead of our trench, in full view of the enemy who were sniping him, Private O'Rourke jumped out of his trench and brought the man back, being himself heavily sniped at while doing so. Again he went forward about 50 yards in front of our barrage under very heavy and accurate fire from enemy machine-guns and snipers, and brought in a comrade. On a subsequent occasion, when the line of advanced posts was retired to the line to be consolidated, he went forward under very heavy enemy fire of every description and brought back a wounded man who had been left behind. He showed throughout an absolute disregard for his own safety, going wherever there were wounded to succour, and his magnificent courage and devotion in continuing his rescue work, in spite of exhaustion and the incessant heavy enemy fire of every description, inspired all ranks and undoubtedly saved many lives. MILITARY MEDAL,: https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/29854/supplement/12057. GAZETTE ISSUE 29854, MILITARY MEDAL, His Majesty the KING has been graciously pleased to award the Military Medal for bravery in the Field to this Soldier.
Fold3_Team · 31/10/2023
Gazette Information: GAZETTE ISSUE 30372, VICTORIA CROSS,: https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/30372/supplement/11569. His Majesty the KING has been graciously pleased to approve of the award of the Victoria Cross to the undermentioned:- No. 428545 Private Michael James O'Rourke, Canadian Infantry. For most conspicuous bravery and devotion to duty during prolonged operations. For three days and nights, during the period 15th/17th August 1917 at Hill 60 near Lens, France, Private O'Rourke, who is a stretcher-bearer, worked unceasingly in bringing the wounded into safety, dressing them, and getting them food and water. During the whole of this period the area in which he worked was subjected to very severe shelling and swept by heavy machine-gun and rifle fire. On several occasions he was knocked down and partially buried by enemy shells. Seeing a comrade who had been blinded stumbling around ahead of our trench, in full view of the enemy who were sniping him, Private O'Rourke jumped out of his trench and brought the man back, being himself heavily sniped at while doing so. Again he went forward about 50 yards in front of our barrage under very heavy and accurate fire from enemy machine-guns and snipers, and brought in a comrade. On a subsequent occasion, when the line of advanced posts was retired to the line to be consolidated, he went forward under very heavy enemy fire of every description and brought back a wounded man who had been left behind. He showed throughout an absolute disregard for his own safety, going wherever there were wounded to succour, and his magnificent courage and devotion in continuing his rescue work, in spite of exhaustion and the incessant heavy enemy fire of every description, inspired all ranks and undoubtedly saved many lives. MILITARY MEDAL,: https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/29854/supplement/12057. GAZETTE ISSUE 29854, MILITARY MEDAL, His Majesty the KING has been graciously pleased to award the Military Medal for bravery in the Field to this Soldier.