THE PRO PATRIA PROJECT

CUNNINGHAM Adam Jack

23/399, Sergeant, 1st Battalion, New Zealand Rifle Brigade, WW1

CITATION

Distinguished Conduct Medal

Gazetted 15 November 1918, p13469

Fremicourt 30 August – 1 September 1918.  After an enemy counter-attack he noticed a large party of enemy in a trench.  He immediately collected twelve men and charged the enemy, who were taken by surprise, and some fifty were captured at the cost of very light casualties.  During hard fighting, lasting several days, he distinguished himself by his gallantry and dash

Military Medal

Gazetted 21 October 1918, p12423

For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty.  At Hebuterne on 15 July 1918, his company was engaged in an attack on the enemy front line.  Sergeant CUNNINGHAM rendered distinguished service beginning with his patrol work on the night 14/15 July.  On that night he examined the whole of his Company objective for the operations next day and rendered accurate reports of all saps leading into the enemy line, and the wire which protected it.  These reports enabled his company to evade places likely to hold them up and dispositions were made accordingly.  During the advance Sergeant CUNNINGHAM led an attack on a machine gun which was holding up his Platoon, he quickly grasped the position, placed his Lewis Gun to engage the enemy Machine Gun and though under hot fire, he himself worked round by a flank and threatening the gunner with his bayonet, forced him to surrender and then opened fire on the escaping team.  After the objective had been taken Sergeant CUNNINGHAM personally reconnoitred an enemy trench some three hundred yards in advance and placed the first post in it to secure the advantage gained.  To the gallant and daring conduct of this NCO, must be ascribed  much of the fine work done by the section under his command

AWARDS

Distinguished Conduct Medal

Military Medal

1914-15 Star

British War Medal

Victory Medal

NOTES

Born 20 May 1887, Scotland

Died 1 January 1941, Cambridge, New Zealand