FOOT Stephen Cornelius

10/3878, Lance Sergeant, 2nd Battalion, Wellington Regiment, WW1

CITATION

Distinguished Conduct Medal

Gazetted 22 October 1917, p10869

Citation 26 January 1918, p1345

La Basse Ville 30 July 1917.  For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty.  During an attack upon a strong enemy position his platoon was held up by an enemy post in some hedge-rows.  The position was serious until he and a private crept round the flank and by rifle fire compelled the entire enemy post to retire.  Not content to let them do this, however, he continued firing upon them until they surrendered to him – twenty-four in all.  After this dashing piece of initiative the platoon was then led forward by Lance Sergeant Foot to its initial objective.

Bar to the Distinguished Conduct Medal

Gazetted 22 November 1917, p12323

Citation 6 February 1918, p1758

Passchendaele 4 October 1917.  For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty in an attack.  When his platoon officer became a casualty he took command of the platoon and led it with great courage and initiative.  In the attack on the final objective he encountered unexpectedly a very strongly held trench, which he captured, with thirty nine prisoners and seven machine-guns.  He quickly consolidated the captured ground and held on until wounded.  He displayed leadership and gallantry of a high order, and inspired great confidence in the men.

KNOWN AWARDS

Distinguished Conduct Medal and bar

British War Medal

Victory Medal

NOTES

Born 14 December 1889, England

Died 8 July 1970, Wanganui, New Zealand

THE PRO PATRIA PROJECT