'In "No Man?s Land", near Armentieres, 25th October 1916. This man displayed great gallantry and devotion to duty under the following circumstances: At 8.20pm on the 25th October 1916, a party of about 20 Germans was sighted by 24001 Private M. Ford, and 13037 Private G. Kirkland, who were about 20 yards from our wire. The men on the post challenged, and immediately the hostile party deployed and advanced on the post. While Private Kirkland ran back and gave the alarm, Private Ford remained alone at his post, and when the Germans rushed he shot the first one dead, and then threw two bombs among the others before retiring to the trench. The enemy were quickly dispersed by the fire of Lewis machine guns, and later the body of the German shot by Private Ford was brought in and useful identifications obtained.'
Source: London Gazette
Date: 26 April 1917

Regimental number	24001
Place of birth	Australia
Occupation	Farmer
Next of kin	Friend, James McCormack, Pukekohe, Auckland
Rank on embarkation	Private
Unit name	New Zealand Expeditionary Force, 13th Reinforcements, Auckland Infantry Battalion, A Company
Embarkation details	Unit embarked from Wellington on 30-31 May 1916
	A Company, Auckland Infantry Battalion, 13th Reinforcements, left Wellington on board two ships: 'Tofua' (sailed 30 May 1916) and 'Willochra' (sailed 31 May 1916). From the Nominal Rolls it is not possible to determine on which ship an individual embarked.
Medals	Military Medal 'In "No Man?s Land", near Armentieres, 25th October 1916. This man displayed great gallantry and devotion to duty under the following circumstances: At 8.20pm on the 25th October 1916, a party of about 20 Germans was sighted by 24001 Private M. Ford, and 13037 Private G. Kirkland, who were about 20 yards from our wire. The men on the post challenged, and immediately the hostile party deployed and advanced on the post. While Private Kirkland ran back and gave the alarm, Private Ford remained alone at his post, and when the Germans rushed he shot the first one dead, and then threw two bombs among the others before retiring to the trench. The enemy were quickly dispersed by the fire of Lewis machine guns, and later the body of the German shot by Private Ford was brought in and useful identifications obtained.' Source: London Gazette Date: 26 April 1917
Sources	Nominal Roll Vol. 2: Roll 33, p. 6