David Philip Hirsch

Though twice wounded, he rallied his troops under enemy fire

David Philip Hirsch was born at Leeds on 28 December 1896, the son of woollen merchant Harry Hirsch and his wife Edith. Educated at Willaston School and Worcester College,Oxford, he trained with the Leeds University Officers'Training Corps in December 1914. He was commissioned into the West Yorkshire Regiment in April 1915 and transferred to the Yorkshire Regiment that September.

Hirsch reached France with the 4th Battalion in April 1916. He served on the Somme, including High Wood and Eaucourt-l'Abbaye, commanded the battalion's machine guns and was wounded. He became a temporary lieutenant in September 1916 and acting captain commanding YCompany in November. He was also mentioned in despatches.

On 23 April 1917, near Wancourt during the Battleof Arras, Hirsch led his company against a strongly defended position. The men reached their objective but remained exposed to heavy fire and counterattack. Although wounded twice, he returned across fire-swept ground to steady the troops.

When further attack threatened the position, he mounted the parapet and remained there, encouraging his men until he was killed. His example helped them hold the captured ground. The Victoria Cross was awarded posthumously.

Hirsch was twenty. He has no identified grave and is commemorated on the Arras Memorial. King George V presented the decoration to his parents in July 1917. His campaign medals were the British War Medal and Victory Medal with one mention-in-despatches emblem.

Official Victoria Cross citation

For most conspicuous bravery and devotion to duty in attack. Having arrived at the first objective, Capt. Hirsch, although already twice wounded, returned over fire-swept slopes to satisfy himself that the defensive flank was being established. Machine gun fire was so intense that it was necessary for him to be continuously up and down the line encouraging his men to dig and hold the position. He continued to encourage his men by standing on the parapet and steadying them in the face of machine gun fire and counter-attack until he was killed. His conduct throughout was a magnificent example of the greatest devotion to duty.

Fourth Supplement to The London Gazette of 12 June 1917. 14 June 1917, Numb. 30130, pp. 5865-66