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Report of 2nd Lieutenant Chapman

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EVIDENCE OF 2nd Lieut. S. R. CHAPMAN, CONCERNING THE WAY

No. 13908, Pte, COX, C.A. CARRIED OUT HIS DUTIES AS STRETCHER BEARER TO MY COMPANY DURING OPERATIONS OF 13th to 17th MARCH, 1917

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On the 13th March I saw Pte. COX carrying back wounded from the Loupart Line through a heavy barrage of machine-gun fire and heavy calibre shells to the dressing station. In spite of the heavy bombardment he never hesitated to take back a second case having just returned from taking one.

On the morning of the 15th I saw him wandering about in front of hill 130 in the front wave attending to the wounded. He showed absolutely contempt of the volume of machine gun fire and heavy bombardment, although M.G. opened on single targets. I previously saw him carry back a man on his back on three different occasions, and on withdrawing my Company I found he had similarly treated six others, two of whom were wounded a second time while he was carrying them.

On the morning of the 17th I again saw Pte. COX go forward to the assistance of the Company ahead of us, on passing through the extremely thick barbed wire he marked passages with white bandage and went on again to the front wave, where he carried back several cases through the bombardment.

All the other evidence I put in my previous report was collected from N.C.Os. and men in the Company, none of whom can speak too highly of his conduct, emphasizing always his complete disregard of personal danger and contempt of enemy M.G. fire. All are unanimous in their desire to see him rewarded with the coveted honour V.C.

Sd. S.R. Chapman, 2nd Lt.

a/O.C., B.Coy.

17-3-1917.