Leslie Andrew VC
A Railways Department clerk and the son of the headmaster of Wanganui East School, Leslie Andrew lied about his age so that he could serve overseas. He arrived in France in September 1916 and fought with the 2nd Wellington Battalion on the Somme before being wounded.
On 31 July the New Zealanders attacked La Basseville once again. The 1st
Auckland Battalion was to hit the German defences while 2nd Wellington was to take the village and establish positions there. Shortly before 4 a.m. the New Zealanders began advancing behind an artillery barrage. Leslie Andrew led two sections sent to destroy the machine-gun position in the inn. As they moved forward, they saw that another machine gun on the nearby railway line was holding up other New Zealand troops. They rushed the position, killed the crew and captured the gun before turning back to their original objective. Approaching the inn from the side, the New Zealanders crawled through thistles to within striking distance. They threw in grenades and then stormed the position, killing some of the Germans and capturing a second machine gun.For his bravery and leadership during the attack, 20-year-old Leslie Andrew was awarded the Victoria Cross.
Did you think it was far or not
write what your idea is about?
A Railways Department clerk and the son of the headmaster of Wanganui East School, Leslie Andrew lied about his age so that he could serve overseas. He arrived in France in September 1916 and fought with the 2nd Wellington Battalion on the Somme before being wounded.
On 31 July the New Zealanders attacked La Basseville once again. The 1st
Auckland Battalion was to hit the German defences while 2nd Wellington was to take the village and establish positions there. Shortly before 4 a.m. the New Zealanders began advancing behind an artillery barrage. Leslie Andrew led two sections sent to destroy the machine-gun position in the inn. As they moved forward, they saw that another machine gun on the nearby railway line was holding up other New Zealand troops. They rushed the position, killed the crew and captured the gun before turning back to their original objective. Approaching the inn from the side, the New Zealanders crawled through thistles to within striking distance. They threw in grenades and then stormed the position, killing some of the Germans and capturing a second machine gun.For his bravery and leadership during the attack, 20-year-old Leslie Andrew was awarded the Victoria Cross. Did you think it was far or not
write what your idea is about?
Hi Siyona,
ReplyDeleteWhat an interesting story, and he was so young!
I'd love to be able to give you full points for this activity. Could you tell me the story of Leslie in your own words?
Hazel :)