'On 27th September 1916, when the Battalion was attacking Grid Trench it was badly cut up by artillery and machine gun fire, Cpl Lay volunteered to get information went through a hail of machine gun bullets up to within 60 yds of enemy front line. Seeing none of our men there he returned with the negative information, which in itself was particularly valuable. He then went out once more, found one of our Lewis guns up near the enemy's line, returned with the information and went back again and took charge of the party with the Lewis gun, holding there until 38 hours later when the battalion was relieved.'
Source: London Gazette
Date: 9 December 1916

Regimental number	8/1771
Address	Wallacetown
Marital status	Single
Next of kin	Mother, Mrs West, 174 Crinan St Invercargill
Rank on embarkation	Private
Enlistment status	Volunteer
Unit name	New Zealand Expeditionary Force, 4th Reinforcements, Otago Infantry Battalion
Embarkation details	Unit embarked from Wellington on board Willochra on 17 April 1915
Medals	Military Medal 'On 27th September 1916, when the Battalion was attacking Grid Trench it was badly cut up by artillery and machine gun fire, Cpl Lay volunteered to get information went through a hail of machine gun bullets up to within 60 yds of enemy front line. Seeing none of our men there he returned with the negative information, which in itself was particularly valuable. He then went out once more, found one of our Lewis guns up near the enemy's line, returned with the information and went back again and took charge of the party with the Lewis gun, holding there until 38 hours later when the battalion was relieved.' Source: London Gazette Date: 9 December 1916
Miscellaneous details	Nominal Roll Vol. 1: Otago Infantry Batln/Fourth