There must be at least six men still alive who remember a certain
affair at Kemmel. During the latter part of April 1918 our machine
gunners had been having a bad time, and one old Cockney sergeant found
himself and his party isolated miles in front of our line.
The cool way in which he gave orders, as he told his men to make
their way back--lying down for a bit, then making a run for another
shelter--would have been humorous if conditions had not been so
terrifying.
He himself kept his gun working to protect their retreat, and when
he saw they had reached a place of safety he picked up his gun and
rejoined them unhurt.
One of his men, describing the action afterwards, said, "Carried his
gun three miles--wouldn't part with it--and the first thing he did when
he was able to settle down quietly was to start cleaning the blessed
thing!"--_H. R. Tanner, "Romsdal," Newton Ferrers, S. Devon._