Topic: victoria cross that was not awarded

[piersdad]

we can only guess at the many heros  in the first world war who never got the recognition they deserve.

Found this newspaper clipping in the back a book owned by my grandfather Henry Francis Edgecumbe  ? Waimana settlements 
The book was his mathematical tables for his surveying work in the central north island new zealand

edit  just found out that Henry Francis Edgecumbe's mother was Alice  Salmon and his father was Francis Henry Edgecumbe so i think this is an uncle that died in the war.

SERGEANT HARRY SALMON

Particulars have been received by T B Salmon, formerly of Blenheim, of the manner in which his son, Sergt. Harry Rayner Salmon, met his death in action on October last.
A direct hit was made  by a German gun on a dugout in which Sergt. Salmon and other members of his battery were sheltering, and all were killed, the  dugout being destroyed.  Captain R Miles the commander of the battery, pays a tribute to the  soldiery qualities of Sergt. Salmon, and states that on the day before the latter’s death he had been recommended for the V.C.
While he was in a gun pit with his detachment a big shell struck a heap of ammunition behind the pit, causing a great explosion.
A fragment set fire to the cartridges in the pit. After the half dazed men had hurried out and cries were heard from within the pit, and Sergt. Salmon and Bombardier Syme went back and tried to re-enter. They were driven off by the flames from the back entrance, but succeeded in getting in the front.
 They found a gunner pinned under the fallen debris, in danger of being burnt to death.
Despite the fact that the burning ammunition might explode at any moment, the two hero’s remained in the burning pit until they had freed their comrade from his dire peril.
Both Sergt. Salmon and bombardier Syme were recommended for the greatest honor a soldier can win.
Captain Miles adds that Sergt. Salmon before this gallant act been recommended for a commission
The late Sergent H. Rayner Salmon was a nephew of Mr. Charles Rayner, Paterrangi Road, Ohaupo, and also of Mr John Atkinson, Claudlands, Hamilton

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