17 June 2007

Victoria Cross: A. D. Borton

ARTHUR DRUMMOND BORTON, DSO

Lieutenant Colonel, commanding 2/22nd (County of London) Battalion the London Regiment

Born: 1 July 1883, Chevening, Kent

Citation: For most conspicuous bravery and leadership. Under the most difficult conditions in darkness [on 7 November 1917] and in an unknown country [at Sheria, Palestine], he deployed his battalion for attack, and at dawn led his attacking companies against a strongly held position.
When the leading waves were checked by a withering machine-gun fire, Lt.-Col. Borton showed an utter contempt of danger, and moved freely up and down his lines under heavy fire. Reorganising his command, he led his men forward, and captured the position.
At a later stage of the fight, he led a party of volunteers against a battery of field guns in action at point-blank range, capturing the guns and the detachments.
His fearless leadership was an inspiring example to the whole Brigade.

(London Gazette Issue 30433 dated 18 Dec 1917, published 14 Dec 1917.)

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