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.
FLEMING, 2/Lieutenant Herbert Sidney ... ... ... 5/Northumberland Fusiliers
Near LAVENTIE, 1918. This officer, who was commanding a platoon, had orders to
advance. An hour after receiving the orders he led his platoon forward, and,
although he had never seen the country before him during daylight, kept
direction accurately, quickly taking each objective as he came to it. Although
met by hostile machine-gun fire, he pushed on through two hostile strong points,
capturing a machine gun and the gunners, and establishing himself well in
advance of his final objective. By his coolness under fire not only did he set a
good example to his platoon but inflicted many losses on the enemy, whom he
encountered in greatly superior numbers.