Although our Highlights of the Western Front & VC Recipients Tour in late September is looking unlikely, here’s the story of a VC recipient buried very close to Orchard Farm, one of our Somme hospitality venues.
No. 15122 L./Sjt. John Harold Rhodes, G.Gds. (Tunstall, Staffs.).
For most conspicuous bravery when in charge of a Lewis gun section covering the consolidation of the right front company. He accounted for several enemy with his rifle as well as by Lewis gun fire, and, upon seeing three enemy leave a “pill-box”, he went out single-handed through our own barrage and hostile machine-gun fire, and effected an entry into the “pill-box”. He there captured nine enemy, including a forward observation officer connected by telephone with his battery. These prisoners he brought back with him, together with valuable information.
Keep safe everyone and hope to be on the road with you soon.
