TRAVIS Richard Charles

9/523, Sergeant, Otago Regiment, WW1

CITATION

Victoria Cross

Gazetted 27 September 1918, p11431

For most conspicuous bravery and devotion to duty. During 'surprise' operations it was necessary to destroy an impassable wire block. Serjt. TRAVIS,

regardless of personal danger, volunteered for this duty. Before zero hour, in broad daylight and in close proximity to enemy posts he crawled out

and successfully destroyed the block with bombs, thus enabling the attacking parties to pass through. A few minutes later a bombing party on the

right of the attack was held up by two enemy machine guns, and the success of the whole operation was in danger. Perceiving this Serjt. TRAVIS with

great gallantry and utter disregard of danger, rushed the position, killed the crews and captured the guns. An enemy officer and three men

immediately rushed at him from a bend in the trench and attempted to retake the guns. These four he killed single handed, thus allowing the bombing

party on which much depended to advance. The success of the operation was almost entirely due to the heroic work of this gallant N.C.O and the

vigour with which he made and used opportunities for inflicting casualties on the enemy. He was killed 24 hours later when, in a most intense

bombardment prior to an enemy counter-attack, he was going from post to post encouraging the men.

Distinguished Conduct Medal

Gazetted 25 November 1916, p11563

Armentieres 13 September 1916.  For conspicuous gallantry in action.  He went out by himself and accounted for several enemy snipers who were

firing at a working party.  He had on many previous occasions done very fine work

Military Medal

Gazetted 13 September 1918, p10779

On the British Front East of Hebuterne,14th May 1918. For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty.  This NCO commanded a patrol of four men which went out in broad daylight, and captured an enemy machine gun post; although their Battalion was in support these men volunteered to go out and secure identification, which was urgently required. They left our front line trench about 7.15 p.m. in broad daylight and by skilful use of ground they crept up to the enemy post unobserved, and, disposing themselves very cleverly completely surprised the enemy post of seven Germans. The Officer of the post showed fight and had to be shot; the connections in the post aroused a neighbouring post who rushed down the sap to the aid of their comrades, firing at the above patrol who were conducting our prisoners to our lines; two of them being shot by their own comrades. The withdrawal was very cleverly covered by Sergeant TRAVIS who fired his revolver until it was emptied. The above was carried out in a most daring manner, and the men concerned showed courage of a very high order, while the scheme was worked out very cleverly in all details. These men were subjected to heavy machine gun fire on withdrawing from the enemy post and were sniped at from all sides. The whole scheme had to be carried out with the utmost despatch, but nevertheless it was a complete success without casualties on our side. This N.C.O. by his excellent patrol work has obtained much valuable information on many occasions, and has at all times set a magnificent example of courage and devotion to duty.

Croix de Guerre, Belgium

Gazetted 12 July 1918, p8191

AWARDS

Victoria Cross

Distinguished Conduct Medal

Military Medal

1914-15 Star

War Medal 1914-19

Victory Medal

Croix de Guerre 1914-18 (Belgium)

Memorial Plaque

Gallipoli Medallion

Also reported as being Mentioned in Despatches twice

NOTES

Born Dickson Cornelius Savage 6 April 1884 at Opotiki, New Zealand

Died 25 July 1918, Killed in Action, Rossignol Wood, France

Buried Couin New British Cemetery, France [Plot G, 5]

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