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.
DUCKWORTH, 2/Lieutenant John Edwin Hardie ... ... 7/Worcester (16/Devon)
Near RONSSOY, 18th September, 1918. For conspicuous gallantry and initiative
when he led the attack splendidly and was the first man on the objective between
TOINE WOOD and ORCHARD POST. At one period he got considerably in advance of the
main force but still pushed on. Without the courageous example set by this
officer it is doubtful whether this position would have been taken at the time.
One hundred prisoners and a machine gun were captured in this sector alone.
During consolidation, with a Welsh officer he crawled round a machine gun which
was still firing and rounded it up. He and his party were also responsible for
the capture of an enemy field gun.