William Ralph BURGE

Regimental number37050
OccupationPrinter
Next of kinWife, Mrs Annie Burge, 7 Coombe Street, Wellington
Rank on embarkation2nd Lieutenant
Unit nameNew Zealand Expeditionary Force, 24th Reinforcements (2nd Draft), F Company
Embarkation detailsUnit embarked from Wellington on board HMNZT 82 Pakeha on 14 April 1917
HMNZT 'Pakeha' embarked 14 April 1917; disembarked 18 April 1917; re-embarked and left New Zealand, 26 April 1917.
Final rankLieutenant (Temporary Captain)
Final unit2nd Battalion, Wellington Infantry Regiment
Medals

Bar to Military Cross

'For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty on 1st October 1918, near Crevecoeur, in command of the left attacking company. Within half an hour of gaining his objective a strong counter attack developed against the battalion on his left, which withdrew, leaving him isolated. He held his ground long enough to enable reserves to be pushed up. Although severely wounded and greatly shaken by a shell bursting close to him, he stuck to his company until the danger was past. His example prevented his men giving a yard of ground.'
Source: London Gazette
Date: 1 February 1919

Military Cross

'Finding that enemy had some well posted machine gun on the flank of a battalion which he was supporting, he led his men forward, and with the assistance of a tank, cleared out the machine-gun nests, and secured the flank. Later on he pushed forward to the assistance of a battalion that was held up, and collecting all the men he could, he acted with great success. Throughout the day he displayed great personal courage and fine initiative.'
Source: London Gazette
Date: 2 December 1918

SourcesNominal Roll Vol. 3: Roll 60, p. 6

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