The Military Cross was instituted as a Decoration on December 28th, 1914, to reward Distinguished Services rendered by Officers of certain ranks in the army in time of war. Bars may be added for additional acts of gallantry. Since August 1st, 1918, it has, like the D.S.O., been awarded for "services in action" only. The Decoration consists of a Cross of Silver, having on each arm the Imperial Crown and bearing in the centre the Royal and Imperial Cypher. The ribbon is white with a purple stripe. Bars are indicated (in undress uniform) by small silver rosettes on the ribbon.
KEEP, 2/Lt. Alan Ralph ... ... ... ... ... 3/ Royal West Surrey
OVILLERS, 27th July and i3th August, 1916. For conspicuous gallantry during operations. He kept his battery continually in action day and night under heavy shell fire, thereby
materially assisting the infantry to capture enemy trenches.
KEEY, Lieut. Cecil Walter ... ... ... ... ... 7/London
SAULCOURT and EPEHY, 7th September, 1918. For conspicuous courage and devotion to
duty during the operations. He was in charge of two mobile trench mortars, and had both
guns put out of action, and the majority of the teams wounded. Despite the fact that he was
wounded in the face he took over the remnants of two companies of infantry who were left
without an officer and reorganised them, and consolidated on a line just west of CAPRON
COPSE. His initiative and courage in the face of great danger were a splendid example to all
ranks concerned.
KEKEWICH, 2/Lt. Stanley Buck ... ... ... ... ... R.F.A.
LA VACQUERIE, 3Oth November, 1917. For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty.
He assisted his battery commander in man-handling the guns back when the ammunition was
exhausted during an enemy attack. He set a splendid example of coolness and courage under
heavy fire.
KELTY, Lieut. Stanley William 9/Liverpool
WERVICQ, i4th October, 1918. For conspicuous gallantry and initiative. During the attack
he twice went forward to reconnoitre the ground prior to the advance of his guns. When an
enemy post was holding up our advance he crept forward to ascertain the strength with which
it was held. He obtained most useful information concerning the enemy's position, although
persistently fired at by snipers and machine guns. Later, he took his guns, boldly forward and
had them in their consolidated positions within half an hour of the capture of the locality.
KENNEDY, Lieut Cyril Arthur Reginald ... ... ... R.F.A. (Y/9/T.M.B.)
Near STEENBEEK, i5th October, 1918. For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He was in charge of mobile 6-in. mortar in close support of the infantry. When the attack began
heavy enemy machine-gun fire was immediately opened on the mortar and its detachment.
With great coolness and gallantry he continued to keep his mortar firing and render very
material assistance in diminishing the enemy's fire, and thus enabling the infantry to continue
their advance.
KERCKHOVE, 2/Lt. Herbert Vincent ... 4/East Surrey
HAUSSY, 16th October, 1918. For gallantry and resourceful leading during the attack.
After several attempts had failed to rescue a wounded man who was lying in front of our posts
he crept out under heavy maching-gun fire and got the man in. Later, he organised a party of
10 men and surrounded an enemy post in a sunken road, which was inflicting great damage and
casualties upon the attacking force, and succeeded in capturing the whole garrison of 60, with
two trench mortars and two anti-tank rifles. His courage and coolness were admirable.
KERR, 2/Lt. John Vass ... ... 7/London
Near HANGARD, 24th April, 1918. This officer's platoon was subjected to very heavy fire
during an enemy attack, which drove back the troops on either flank. His determination
encouraged his platoon to stand fast and pour a steady fire into the advancing enemy, causing
them to bring up a large number of troops, supported by two tanks, against him. Although
his men began to waver, he went round the platoon, regardless of personal danger, and rallied
them at the critical moment by his example, so that not one of the enemy reached his post.
But for his gallant stand a considerable amount of ground would have been lost.
KIDD, Lieut. Claude Bernard ... ... ... ... ... 15/Cheshire
Near EPEHY, 24th August, 1917. He did remarkably fine work when his company was
holding a position for many hours from early morning till late at night, while heavily shelled.
It was entirely due to his efforts that the men were kept together. He encouraged his men
throughout the day, continually going up and down the trench. His conduct was splendid,
and he set a fine example.
KING, 2/Lt. Bernand Ellis ... ... ... ... ... ... 10/Norfolk
Awarded 1st January, 1918.
KING, 2/Lt. Harry Norman ... ... ... 4/Loyal North Lancashire
Near CORDONNERIE, 29th July, 1917. For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty
when leading his platoon in a raid on the enemy trenches. After fierce hand-to-hand fighting,
in which his platoon sergeant and four section leaders were all wounded, an enemy party
superior in numbers appeared on his right. He at once collected his men, charged this party,
and in a second hand-to-hand fight put them to flight. Although half his platoon had become
casualties he remained out in "No Man's Land" until ordered to retire, when he collected
wounded and brought them in. His absolute contempt of danger and fine leadership so
inspired his men that they completely routed a force of twice their strength.
KINGDOM, 2/Lt. Frank Denys ... ... ... ... 29th Battery R.F.A.
SAPIGNIES, 25th August, 1918. For conspicuous gallantry. When heavy enemy fire
killed two men and wounded several others of his battery he organised a stretcher party and got
them to a place of safety under heavy shelling. By his example of coolness he kept the battery
in action and saved several lives. Later, while observing under heavy enfilade fire, he showed
marked devotion to duty, and kept up communication with his battery by visual, and got back
valuable information.
KNIGHT, 2/Lt. Alfred Ovenden ... ... ... i2/Loyal North Lancashire
GOUZEAUCOURT, 30th November, 1917. For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty.
During the preliminary portion of the attack he showed great courage and exercised complete
control over his company. On the enemy opening a heavy barrage, and while they were seen
to be advancing, he ordered all the sections with which he could get into touch to retire, only
leaving the position himself when the enemy were not more than 300 yards away. It was very
largely due to his courage and skill that the whole company were extricated from a very
awkward situation with very few casualties.
KNOWLES, 2/Lt. Roland Ernest ... ... ... ... ... R.G.A.
N.W. of HEBUTERNE, 5th April, 1918. Whilst on duty at the guns under heavy enemy
bombardment he helped to rescue the wounded from ablown-in dug-out. He kept all the guns
in action, moved from pit to pit with the greatest coolness, and personally assisted in serving
the guns when short of men. He displayed fine courage, and set a high example by his
behaviour.