FREE Wilfred Laughton

33144, Sergeant, 1st Battalion, New Zealand Rifle Brigade, WW1

CITATION

Distinguished Conduct Medal

Gazetted 1 January 1919, p48

Citation 3 September 1919, p11190

For gallantry and consistent devotion to duty.  During the attack on Fremicourt he was in charge of two platoons, and by good leadership brought them into position for the final assault.  After consolidating he took charge of the right half of the line and patrolled from post to post under an intense machine-gun barrage.  When the enemy counter-attacked with tanks the next morning he kept personal touch with his posts, and held them in position until the tanks were caused to withdraw.  Throughout the operation his work was excellent

KNOWN AWARDS

Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (MBE)

Distinguished Conduct Medal

British War Medal

Victory Medal

War Medal 1939-45

New Zealand War Service Medal

NOTES

Born 26 November 1896, Reefton, New Zealand

Died 3 December 1975, Masterton, New Zealand

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