The Royal Montreal Regiment

Heroes

burton_mckean.jpg (9119 bytes)

awards1.JPG (27523 bytes)

Lieutenant (Later Captain) George Burton McKean,
VC MC MM
14th Battalion

"FOR MOST CONSPICUOUS BRAVERY AND DEVOTION TO DUTY DURING A RAID ON THE ENEMY'S TRENCHES
(APRIL 27th -28th, 1918 IN THE GAVRELLE SECTOR)".

Lieutenant McKean's party, which was operating on the right flank, was held up by a block in the communication trench by most intense fire from handgrenades and machine guns. This block, which was too close to our trenches to have been engaged by the preliminary bombardment, as well protected by wire and covered by a well protected machine gun thirty yards behind it.

Realizing that if this block were not destroyed, the sucess of the whole operation might be marred, he ran into the open to the right flank of the block, and, with utter disregard to danger, leaped over the block, head first, on top of the enemy. Whilst lying on the ground on top of one of the enemy, another rushed at him with fixed bayonet. Lieutenant McKean shot him through the body and then shot the enemy underneath him, who was struggling violently. This very gallant action enabled this position to be captured. Lieutenant McKean's supply of bombs ran out at this time and he sent back to our front line for a fresh supply. Whilst waiting for them, he engaged the enemy single-handed. When the bombs arrived, he fearlessly rushed the second block, killed two of the enemy, captured four others, and drove the remaining garrison, including a hostile machine gun section, into a dug-out. The dug-out with its occupants and machine gun, was destroyed

scrimger.jpg (23031 bytes)

awards2.JPG (20241 bytes)

Captain (afterwards Lieut.-Colonel) Francis Alex Caran Scrimger
VC - R.C.A.M.C.
Medical Officer 14th Battalion

"CAPTAIN SCRIMGER DURING THE VERY HEAVY FIGHTING BETWEEN THE 22nd AND 25th OF APRIL DISPLAYED CONTINUOUSLY, DAY AND NIGHT, THE GREATEST DEVOTION TO HIS DUTY AMONG THE WOUNDED AT THE FRONT"

On the afternoon of April 25th, 1915, in the neighborhood of Ypres, when in charge of an advanced dressing station in some farm buildings which were being heavily shelled by the enemy, he directed, under heavy fire, the removal of the wounded, and he himself carried a severely wounded officer out of a stable in search of greater safety, when he was unable alone to carry this officer further, he remained with him, under fire, until help could be obtained.


Copyright © 2006		The Royal Montreal Regiment