Medal & Mortality index
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.
1915 :
The following officers joined during August and September :
Lieuts. R. V. Gery, D. J. Leonard, C. Gaskin,
2/Lieuts. S. E. Lyons, H. B. A. Balls, H. Jones, C. C. Spurr, A. G. Sharp, R,
Johnstone, W. J. Boutall, F. C. Fanhangel, S. B. H. Walroisley, A. S. Ford, G.
L. Goodes and H. J. M. Williams.
1916 :
On the 23rd June Lieut. W. J. Boutall rejoined the Battalion from home and was
posted to D Company, but almost immediately took up the duties of Assistant
Adjutant.
The Somme Battle was the first important offensive in which steps were taken to
reduce the number of officers actually taking part to the smallest possible
limits, and a " battle surplus " of officers and also of warrant officers,
N.C.O.'s and men was therefore left behind in bivouacs near Souastre when the
Battalion moved into the line. This precaution, which was always afterwards
adopted, was the means of avoiding unnecessary casualties and of providing an
immediate reinforcement, as might be required, of fresh officers who would be
acquainted with the men. The officers left in " battle surplus " were Capts.
H. G. Stanham and A. L. Long, Lieuts. J. R. Webster and H. W. Vernon, and
2/Lieuts. C. S. G. Blows and N. W. Williams ; and these were joined on the eve
of battle by Major H. J. Duncan-Tcape and Lieut. W J. Boutall, both of whom
remained in the line until the last possible minute. Lieut. W. R. Botterill also
left the line before the battle to proceed to Woolwich R.M. College.
On the morning of the 4th [September] orders were received, without any previous
intimation that they might be coming, for the Battalion to move forward at once.
The whole Battalion, less personnel of the transport and vehicles, marched out
of Vaux-sur-Somme within one hour of the receipt of these orders — a credit to
the high state of organisation to which the Battalion had been trained since
leaving the Hebuterne area. Boutall writes : " The march was a long and tedious
one and I think I am right in asserting that not a single man fell out on the
way. I distinctly remember Lieut.-Col. Wheatley congratulating himself on the
fact."
One or two changes occurred during this period among the officers of the
Battalion, of which the most important was the assumption of the Adjutancy by
Lieut. W. J. Boutall on the evacuation to hospital of Capt. R. L. Herring, who
had occupied this trying position practically since the Battalion joined the
56th Division. 2/Lieut. Garratt assumed the duties of Assistant Adjutant almost
immediately afterwards. Capt. J. T. Sykes left the Battalion for attachment to
the Indian Army, and the signalling officer, Lieut. E. W. Monk, to join the
R.A.F. The latter's duties were taken over by 2/Lieut. S. J. Barkworth, M.M. In
addition to these 2/Lieut, A. C. Knight was evacuated to hospital.
The decorations awarded for services rendered between the 1st July and the 7th
October were :
M.C.— Lieut. W. J. Boutall, 2/Lieuts. O. D. Garratt, S. J. Barkworth, M.M., E.
McD. McCormick and Rev. R. Palmer, O.F.
Military Cross
Lieutenant (A/Capt.) W. J. Boutall ; London Gazette 1. 1.17