Other Information:From Newport. The 5th Siege Battery war diary states that Joseph was wounded on 19th July 1917 (most likely as a result of counter-battery shelling), but the wound being slight he remained at duty. At the time, the Battery was located west of the Yser Canal (north of Ypres) at Chateau Trois Tours. On the 23rd September 1917 Joseph's act of gallantry took place when the 5th Siege Battery was in position at Krupp Farm (situated a couple of miles south of Pilckem) during the 3rd Battle of Ypres. The Battery war diary states that the battery had come under heavy and accurate enemy shelling from 8" and 5.9" guns (assisted by aerial observation), resulting in the Battery command post, ammunition dump and stores being destroyed. The following were casualties: 2nd Lieutenant James Alec Rattray, Corporal (Acting Sergeant) 397151 Alfred Nagle, and Gunner 167954 George Goddard were killed; 2nd Lieutenant Francis J. Lennard (S.R.), Corporal 23681 Thomas Power, Smith Gunner 63398 O’Hara, T., Gunner 107566 Allan, A., & Gunner 24978 Matthews, W.L. were wounded. Private Jones was awarded his DCM by the Commander-in-Chief on 7th October 1917. The citation for his DCM reads: "For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. When one officer in the battery had been killed and another severely wounded, this man proceeded with a stretcher, accompanied by a Gunner, and rescued the wounded Officer under very heavy concentrated shell fire. He carried the Officer to a dressing station, thereby saving his life. He then returned and dressed the wounded under heavy shell fire". The wounded officer Private Jones rescued would have been 2nd Lieutenant Lennard. Gunner 23681 Thomas Power later died of his injuries on 3rd October 1917. (Special thanks to Steve Fayers for the above information)
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