WHO WAS THIS? AND THE SGT? AND THE UNITS?

[dave ricketts]

I have recently read Sellars' book on the Dyett case, and towards the end there is a discussion of various post-war Commissions into Military Discipline and Shell-shock etc. One of the pieces of evidence Sellars quotes is as follows:

"Let it be said at once that the right to shot down a man, or body of men must be rigidly preserved. The present writer stopped the flight of a whole regiment (not his own) by covering them with Lewis guns and threatening to open fire, if they did not stop. He further secured the Distinguished Conduct Medal for one of his sergeants, who shot down one of his own officers, who ran towards the enemy, with his hands up in surrender."

This is an extract of a longer piece, which is referenced as PRO WO224 [14] Letter Book 1-35.

I would love to know who the letter writer is, the Sgt, what his DCM Citation says, the units involved and where and when. I presume March-April 1918 for the latter.

I believe that a MGC officer is recorded as doing something similiar in respect of threatening to shoot his own side- I have a feeling it was Lt-Col Hutchinson (?). Obviously a different case, as this writer uses Lewis guns.

Thanks,

Dave