 On 15 September
1916 near Ginchy, France, during a period of severe fighting,
Lance-Sergeant McNess led his men with great dash in the face of heavy
shell and machine-gun fire. When the first line of the enemy trenches
was reached, it was found that the left flank was exposed and that the
enemy were bombing down the trench. Sergeant McNess thereupon organised
and led a counter-attack and although he was very severely wounded in
the neck and jaw, did not give up. Finally he established a
"block" and continued encouraging his men and throwing bombs
until exhausted by loss of blood. Later achieved rank of Sergeant.
Frederick McNess was born Bramley, Yorkshire, on 22 January 1892 and
died on 4 May 1958 at Boscombe and was cremated at Bournemouth.
His Victoria Cross is on display at the Regimental Headquarters of the
Scots Guards.
|
