Gazette Information: GAZETTE ISSUE 30122, VICTORIA CROSS,: http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/30122/supplements/5703. His Majesty the KING has been graciously pleased to approve of the award of the Victoria Cross to the undermentioned:- Lieutenant Charles Pope, late 11th Battalion, Australian Imperial Force. For most conspicuous bravery and devotion to duty, on 15th April 1917 at Louveral, France, when in command of a very important picquet post in the sector held by his battalion, his orders being to hold this post at all costs. After the picquet post had been heavily attacked, the enemy in greatly superior numbers surrounded the post. Lieutenant Pope, finding that he was running short of ammunition, sent back for further supplies. But the situation culminated before it could arrive, and in the hope of saving the position, this very gallant Officer was seen to charge with his piquet into a superior force, by which it was overpowered. By his sacrifice Lieutenant Pope not only inflicted heavy loss on the enemy, but obeyed his order to hold the position to the last. His body, together with those of most of his men, was found in close proximity to eighty enemy dead – a sure proof of the gallant resistance which had been made.
Fold3_Team · Oct 31, 2023
Gazette Information: GAZETTE ISSUE 30122, VICTORIA CROSS,: http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/30122/supplements/5703. His Majesty the KING has been graciously pleased to approve of the award of the Victoria Cross to the undermentioned:- Lieutenant Charles Pope, late 11th Battalion, Australian Imperial Force. For most conspicuous bravery and devotion to duty, on 15th April 1917 at Louveral, France, when in command of a very important picquet post in the sector held by his battalion, his orders being to hold this post at all costs. After the picquet post had been heavily attacked, the enemy in greatly superior numbers surrounded the post. Lieutenant Pope, finding that he was running short of ammunition, sent back for further supplies. But the situation culminated before it could arrive, and in the hope of saving the position, this very gallant Officer was seen to charge with his piquet into a superior force, by which it was overpowered. By his sacrifice Lieutenant Pope not only inflicted heavy loss on the enemy, but obeyed his order to hold the position to the last. His body, together with those of most of his men, was found in close proximity to eighty enemy dead – a sure proof of the gallant resistance which had been made.