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.
COLE, 2/Lieutenant William Maurice ... ... ... ... 5/Leicester
Near LE TOURET, 9/10 June, 1918. For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty.
He led a patrol in daylight to the enemy's lines, crawled through three belts of
wire, surrounded, with three of his men, an enemy organised shell-hole and tried
to take the sentry prisoner. The man resisted, and the noise disturbed an enemy
machine-gun post close by, so they shot him for identification. Next day he
again led a daylight patrol and gained valuable knowledge of the enemy's
movements, locating several posts and the time at which they were manned.