FROST William Edward

10/213, Company Sergeant Major, 2nd Battalion, Wellington Regiment, WW1

CITATION

Distinguished Conduct Medal

Gazetted 22 September 1916, p9309

Armentieres.  During a raid by a party of the 2nd Battalion, Wellington Regiment, on the night of 2nd-3rd July 1916, against the enemy’s trenches, Company Sergeant Major W.E Frost (since died of wounds), Ruahine Company, 2nd Battalion, Wellington Regiment, assisted by 2nd Lieutentant R.E.V Riddiford to cover the withdrawal of the raiders across ‘no man’s land’ to their own trenches.  This withdrawal was necessary owing to enfilade fire from machine guns and grenades thrown from enemy’s support lines.  When the withdrawal to their own trenches had been completed CSM Frost twice returned to the enemy’s lines through the German wire, and under heavy fire rescued and brought back two wounded men who were lying within a few yards of the enemy’s parapet, and so prevented them from being taken prisoner (For his act of gallantry CSM Frost was also awarded the Croix de Guerre) (NZ General Order 125/1916)

Croix de Guerre (France)

Gazetted 9 December 1916, p12040

Extract from New Zealand Expeditionary Force Orders, dated 18 September, 1916.  During a raid by a party of the 2nd Battalion, Wellington Regiment, on the night of 2nd-3rd July, 1916, against the enemy’s trenches, Company Sergeant-Major W.E. Frost (since died of wounds), Ruahine Company, 2nd Battalion, Wellington Regiment, assisted 2nd Lieutenant R.E.V. Riddiford to cover the withdrawal of the raiders across “No man’s land” to their own trenches. This withdrawal was necessary owing to enfilade fire from machine-guns and grenades thrown from enemy’s support lines. When the withdrawal to their own trenches had been completed, C.S.M. Frost twice returned to the enemy’s lines through the German wire, and under heavy fire rescued and brought back two wounded men who were lying within a few yards of the enemy’s parapet, and so prevented them from being taken prisoners.

KNOWN AWARDS

Distinguished Conduct Medal

1914-15 Star

British War Medal

Victory Medal

Croix de Guerre (France)

Memorial Plaque

Gallipoli Medallion

NOTES

Born 11 July 1893, Auckland, New Zealand

Died of Wounds 27 August 1916, France

Buried at Bailleul Communal Cemetery Extension

THE PRO PATRIA PROJECT