Major(Acting Lt-Col)Harry Greenwood DSO and bar,MC

[armourersergeant]

Recommendation by Brigade commander C V Edwards for Temporary Major (acting Lt-Colonel) Harry Greenwood DSO, MC.

For great gallantry, devotion to duty and fine leadership of this battn. during the fighting of 23/24 Oct. 1918, whilst advancing eastwards towards OVILLERS on the early morning of 23rd the advance of the Battn. was checked by an enemy M.G. Post which had not been mopped up by the Unit on Its right and which was causing heavy casualties. Lieut. Col. GREENWOOD, single-handed rushed this M.G.Post which was firing at point blank range, and killed the crew of four. At the entrance of the village of OVILLERS, another M.G. Post was encountered, which again held up the advance. Again Lt. Col. GREENWOOD rushed this post with two of his Battn. Runners killing the occupants.

On reaching the objective, W. of DUKES WOOD, touch had been lost with both flank Units. Lt. Col. GREENWOOD found himself with 250 men almost surrounded by the enemy M.G. Posts which were held in great strength. The enemy seeing this force almost isolated counter attacked on the right flank and succeded to getting within 40 yards before the attack was broken up. Led by Col. GREENWOOD the men swept forward cheering and took the last objective, actually in front of our own barrage, taking 150 prisoners, 8 M.G.'s and one field gun in doing so. At the commencement of the attack on the GREEN LINE, south of POIX DU NORD, on 24th Oct., the advance of the Brigade was held up by withering fire from wired in M.G. posts on the ridge.

Col. Greenwood by a personal reconnaissance discovered a part of the ridge that was held by one enemy M.G. only. This post he rushed single handed killing the occupants who were firing at him at a range of about 20 yards. He then through a Company into this gap. The whole flank of M.G. Posts was turned and the advance proceeded through POIX DU NORD, the Battn. led by Col. GREENWOOD sweeping aside a further line of M.G. Posts that was encountered North of the town, reaching its objective with both its flanks in the air. Heavy M.G. and Field Gun fire was then opened against the Battn. from the front and right flank. Heavy casualties were caused the line wavered and it was only by Col. GREENWOOD walking up and down in front of the advanced posts (under heavy M.G. fire in full view of the enemy) encouraging his men that the line was held and an enemy counter-attack beaten off.

During the further advance on GRAND GAY FARM ROAD on the afternoon 24th Oct., Col. GREENWOOD was given the right flank of the Brigade to advance on and protect. Despite the fact no troops advanced on his right flank, thereby allowing very heavy infilade M.G. fire to be concentrated on the right flank of the Brigade, he led his Battn. forward, cleaned up all the M.G. Posts, took an objective well to the right of the objective that had been allotted to the Brigade, subsequently handing this over to the division on his right, and made the right flank of his own Division absolutely secure.

During the two days fighting Col Greenwood, by the magnificent example he set his officers and men showing utter contempt for danger, contributed greatly towards the success of the operations during the advance.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

VC

[ London Gazette, 26 December 1918 ]. Ovillers, France, 23 - 24 October 1918, T / Major ( Acting Lieutenant Colonel ), Harry Greenwood DSO, MC, comd 9th Bn, King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry.

For most conspicuous and devotion to duty and fine leadership. When the advance of his battalion on the 23rd October was checked, and many casualties caused by an enemy machine-gun post, Lieutenant Colonel Greenwood single-handed rushed the post and killed the crew.

At the entrance to the village of Ovillers, accompanied by two battalion runners, he again rushed a machine-gun post and killed the occupants. On reaching the objective west of Duke's Wood his command was almost surrounded by hostile machine-gun posts, and the enemy at once attacked his isolated force. The attack was repulsed and, led by Lieutenant Colonel Greenwood, his troops swept forward and captured the last objective, with 150 prisoners, eight machine-guns and one field gun.

During the attack on the Green Line south of Poix Du Nord, on 24th October, he again displayed the greatest gallantry in rushing a machine-gun post, and he showed conspicuously good leadership in the handling of his command in the face of heavy fire. He inspired his men in the highest degree, with the result that the objective was captured, and, in spite of heavy casualties, the line was held.

During the further advance on Grand Gay Farm Road, on the afternoon of 24th October, the skilful and bold handling of his battalion was productive of most important results, not only on securing the flank of his brigade, but also in safeguarding the flank of the division. His valour and leading during two days of fighting were beyond all praise.

------------------------------------------------------

DSO

[ London Gazette, 26 July 1918 ], T / Major Harry Greenwood MC, comd 9th Bn, King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry.

For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty during two heavy attacks, made under cover of mist, which were repulsed, but a hostile machine-gun detachment which succeeded in getting within 50 yards of the line suffered the troops severely and an officer and two men ran back to cover. The battalion being very short of machine gunners owing to casualties, Greenwood, with an NCO rushed out with greatest daring, found an officer and men hiding in a hollow with a heavy machine-gun, and made them carry it back, being all the time under intense fire. The gun was used later on the enemy with great effect.

--------------------------------------------------

Bar to DSO

[ London Gazette, 2 December 1918 ], A / Lieutenant Colonel Harry Greenwood DSO, MC, comd 9th Bn, King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry.

For conspicuous gallantry during an attack. Although ill, Greenwood refused to leave his battalion and led the first line to the attack, and after being injured by the bursting of a shell captured the first objective. On reaching the second objective he organised his battalion and another, and took up a defensive position from which he beat off two enemy counter-attacks and held his ground until relieved. Next day, when the advance was held up by very heavy machine-gun fire, he made daring reconnaissance, with the result that he succeeded in getting round the enemy's flank. Throughout he set a splendid example of pluck and devotion to duty to all ranks.

-------------------------------------------------------

Harry Greenwood was personally invested with the Victoria Cross, and the Bar to his DSO, by King George V at Buckingham Palace on the 8th May 1919. Greenwood died at his home in Wimbledon Park, South West London, on 5th May 1948, aged 66, and is buried in Putney Vale Cemetery.

-----------------------------------------------------------------

I have seen this before in Derek Clayton's excellent 'From Pontefract to Picardy and there is a book about him, 'Valour Beyond All Praise: Harry Greenwood VC' (Derek Hunt 2003), unfortunately when I contacted the publishers in regard to it, they said whilst it was on there website they were out of stock and had no plans to restock it (they had yet to take it off their site apparently).

Wiki states little else. 'Harry Greenwood was the eldest of nine children born to Charles Greenwood of Nottingham and Margaret Abernethy of Tipperary. Charles was a long serving soldier who attained the rank of col sergeant in the Grenadier Guards and later became a Yeoman of the Guard.'

I am also aware that he features in the photo that Paul Reed has of a group of officers of the 9th KOYLI taken sometime around April 1916 (Greenwood missed the Somme having gone home sick in April 1916 and did not return until April 1917. It is obvious he made up for lost time!

If anyone can point to other sources to research around this man and in particular his early career I would be grateful.

regards

Arm

[armourersergeant]

This is his medal entitlement

Medal entitlement of Lieutenant Colonel Harry Greenwood - 9th Bn, King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry

Victoria Cross

Distinguished Service Order ( DSO ) & Bar

Officer, The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire ( OBE )

Military Cross ( MC )

Queen's South Africa Medal ( 1899-1902 )

4 clasps:

"Cape Colony" - "Orange Free State" - "Johannesburg" - "Diamond Hill"

King's South Africa Medal ( 1902 )

2 clasps:

"South Africa 1901" - "South Africa 1902"

1914 - 15 Star

British War Medal ( 1914-20 )

Victory Medal ( 1914-19 )

Defence Medal ( 1939-45 )

War Medal ( 1939-45 )

King George VI Coronation Medal ( 1937 )

[ralphjd]

Amazon site says order now will post when available (currently not in stock) paperback £15.94. Any use ? Regards Ralph.

[armourersergeant]

Thanks had seen it but am loath to wait for ever with this as I get the feeling it will be out of stock for a while. Also at 140 odd pages it seems a steep price to pay! Abebooks shows one at @£11 but its in the US.

thanks again

Arm