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.
REED, Lieut. William ... ... ... ... ... ... R.E.
ARQUES, 19th April, 1918. For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. During
anight air raid this officer was in charge of the workshops and technical stores
dump, next to a large ammunition dumpand kite-balloon depot. At xop.m. two fires
were started by bombs in the ammunition dump. With the exception of the
anti-aircraft machine-gun crew, all men were sent to safety. Violent explosions
on the dump filled the air with shells and fragments, and the camp was
continually bombed by the light of the fire. He sent all the machine-gun crew
away, and fired the two machine guns himself until they both jammed. Later a
fire broke out in the balloon shed, which he helped to extinguish, saving a
great deal of valuable material. He worked continuously for five hours under
continuous bombing and explosives.