Walter Mills (VC)

He held his post despite gas and drove back an enemy attack.

Walter Mills was born at Oldham in 1894 and worked in the cotton industry. He married Ellen Britt and enlisted in the Manchester Regiment in September 1914. With the 1/10th Battalion he served at Gallipoli, suffered wounds and illness, and later served in Egypt before moving to France in 1917.

At Red Dragon Crater near Givenchy on 11 December 1917, a gas bombardment incapacitated much of the garrison before an enemy assault. Despite severe gas poisoning, Mills remained on the fire step and threw grenades, helping repel the attack while others withdrew. He continued until the position was secure, then collapsed.

He died while being carried to treatment that day and was buried in Gorre British and Indian Cemetery. His Victoria Cross was awarded posthumously and presented to his widow. There was no subsequent military or civilian career.

Official Victoria Cross citation

For most conspicuous bravery and self-sacrifice. When, after an intense gas attack, a strong enemy patrol endeavoured to rush our posts, the garrisons of which had been overcome, and though badly gassed himself, he met the attack single- handed and continued to throw bombs until the arrival of reinforcements, and remained at his post until the enemy’s attacks had been finally driven off. While being carried away he died from gas poisoning. It was solely due to his exertions, when his only chance of personal safety lay in remaining motionless, that the enemy was defeated and the line retained intact.

Supplement to The London Gazette of 12 February 1918. 13 February 1918, Numb. 30523, p. 2005