PRIVATE JOHN CUNNINGHAM VC. HULL.
FOR THE HULL LIBRARY PHOTO. Please see //
http://www.hullcc.gov.uk/museumcollections/collections/storydetail.php?irn=193&master=199**** No 12/21 Pte John Cunningham VC 12th (S) Btn. East Yorkshire Regt.
The date was November 13, 1916. In the muddy hell that was the front line trenches of France Pte Cunningham became a hero.
The official citation published in the London Gazette, would record that he received the highest award for "for most conspicuous bravery and resource during operations."
The citation took up the story "... Pte Cunningham proceeded with a bombing section up a communication trench. Much opposition was encountered and the rest of the section became casualties.
"Collecting all the bombs from the casualties, this gallant soldier went on alone. Having expended all his bombs, he then returned for a fresh supply and again proceeded to the communication trench, where he met a party of ten of the enemy. These he killed and cleared the trench up to the enemy line.
"His conduct throughout the day was magnificent."
The narrative of that day in records of the 12th Battalion gives a more detailed insight into the horror of trench warfare...
"The trenches had been so blown about that it was impossible to make them really defensive. The Germans counter-attacked in force, twice during the day from the left, but were annihilated by our Lewis guns.
"The whole day was spent in fighting small parties, bombers and snipers.
"In the evening as there was a danger of being surrounded, it was decided to withdraw, the last party retiring about 8.45pm."