BULL Leslie Samuel Cottam Sergt 41231

SKR/DAT/IP/21868

BULL Leslie Samuel Cottam Sergt 41231

2000-2024

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Surname: BULL;

Forename(s): Leslie Samuel Cottam;

Initials: LSC;

Number: 41231;

Rank: Sergt;

Born in: St Pancras;

Enlistment Date: 08-Aug-1910;

Resided in: Wrexham;

Previous Number: D/4837;

Previous Battalion: 4 of;

Previous Regiment: Dragoon Gds;

Date of transfer to MGC: 24-Feb-1916;

MGC Branch: Cavalry;

MGC Unit: 2 Sqn;

Date abroad: 15-Aug-1914;

Theatre of War: 1;

Discharge Date: 07-Aug-1922;

Awarded: DCM, MM, bar to MM;

Gallantry Notes: DCM: 41231 Sjt. L.S. Bull, M.M., M.G.C. (Wrexham) (LG 3 Sept. 1918).
For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty in charge of machine guns, with which he repelled, in two days, five successive attacks, but was ultimately surrounded. He then destroyed his guns, and, with the detachments, fought his way back. On several occasions he collected scattered bodies of infantry, and organised defensive positions. Later, after his section officer had been wounded, he took command of three machine guns, and kept them in action at close range until ordered to retire.

Bar to MM: war diary 2 Sqn MGC: Award by Corps Commander, VIII Corps, "for gallantry in the Field, dated 11/7/1917".
see mention in "The MGC Cavalry in France - Capt T Preston - The Cavalry Journal" p 496: "On June22nd the 31st Division carried out a raid in which the Sqns guns cooperated. Two guns in the front line were very heavily shelled and were twice knocked over, but each time put into action again immediately. The infantry in the same trench were withdrawn because of the hostile barrage, but the 2nd Sqn men stuck to their guns and kept them firing although three men were wounded including Sgt L Bull, who was awarded a bar to his MM";

Other Data: b 05/10/1894 son of Samuel Marshall & Blanche Bull. Died 4/8/1966 Glasgow
wounded 23/6/1917
war diary 31/7/1917 - award of bar to MM confirmed
See war diary 22/3/1918 - "2 guns, under Sgt Bull, 5 times repelled enemy attacks. Owing to retirement of infantry, all four guns were eventually surrounded. They then fought their way out with a small party of infantry………."
DCM confirmed in War Diary 4/4/1918
War Diary 2 Sqn 16/6/1918 "Sgt LS Bull DCM,MM received the riband of the DCM….."
See "The Cavalry Journal" p 289 (2)/ 29/04/18 - where is states that he received a bar to his DCM
Enlisted Royal Tank Corps - later No 7815746 - non effective 7/8/1922
address: 84 Friern Park, N Finchley
Report: Hendon & Finchley Times 10 May 1918
photo GS Archives;

Other Notes: DCM: LG 3/9/1918
MM: LG 11/10/1916
bar to MM: LG 21/8/1917
(NB: MID 14/1/1915 - 4 Dgn Gds);

Is photo available? Yes, see VMGCRA Patreon

END OF RECORD.

English

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