Richard Travis

Richard Charles Travis VC, DCM, MM (6 April 1884 – 25 July 1918) was a New Zealander recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to Commonwealth forces.

Biography

Travis was born Dickson Cornelius Savage, son of James and Frances Theresa Savage, of Otara, Opotiki, New Zealand. Travis was known as "Prince of Scouts," and "King of No Man's Land". He also served in Egypt and Gallipoli. Awarded Croix de Guerre (Belgium), and was twice mentioned in dispatches.^[1]

As a 34 year-old sergeant in the 2nd Battalion, Otago Infantry Regiment, New Zealand Expeditionary Force during the First World War, his courageous actions on 24 July 1918 at Rossignol Wood, north of Hebuterne, France earned him a Victoria Cross. Travis was killed next day from enemy bombardment.

Citations

Distinguished Conduct Medal

For conspicuous gallantry in action. He went out by himself and accounted for several enemy snipers who were firing at a working party. He has on many previous occasions done very fine work.^[1]

Victoria Cross (posthumous)

For most conspicuous bravery and devotion to duty. During 'surprise' operations it was necessary to destroy an impassable wire block. Serjt. Travis, regardless of personal danger, volunteered for this duty. Before zero hour, in broad daylight and in close proximity to enemy posts he crawled out and successfully destroyed the block with bombs, thus enabling the attacking parties to pass through. A few minutes later a bombing party on the right of the attack was held up by two enemy machine guns, and the success of the whole operation was in danger. Perceiving this Serjt. Travis with great gallantry and utter disregard of danger, rushed the position, killed the crews and captured the guns. An enemy officer and three men immediately rushed at him from a bend in the trench and attempted to retake the guns. These four he killed single handed, thus allowing the bombing party on which much depended to advance. The success of the operation was almost entirely due to the heroic work of this gallant N.C.O. and the vigour with which he made and used opportunities for inflicting casualties on the enemy. He was killed 24 hours later when, in a most intense bombardment prior to an enemy counter-attack, he was going from post to post encouraging the men.

References

• Monuments to Courage (David Harvey, 1999)
• The Register of the Victoria Cross (This England, 1997)
• VCs of the First World War - Spring Offensive 1918 (Gerald Gliddon, 1997)

External links

• New Zealand Troops who have won the Victoria Cross (brief biography details)