VC Action: Thomas Barratt (5 May 1895-27 July 1917) was 22 years old, and a private in the 7th Battalion, The South Staffordshire Regiment, British Army during the First World War when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.
On 27 July 1917 north of Ypres, Belgium, Private Barratt, as a scout to a patrol, worked his way towards the enemy under continuous fire from close range hostile snipers, which he stalked and killed. Later his patrol was similarly held up and again he disposed of the snipers. When during the subsequent withdrawal of the patrol it was observed that a party of the enemy were endeavouring to outflank them, Private Barratt at once volunteered to cover the retirement, and this he succeeded in accomplishing. His accurate shooting caused many casualties to the enemy, and prevented their advance. Throughout the enterprise he was under heavy machine gun and rifle fire, and his coolness and daring was beyond all praise.
After safely regaining the lines Barratt was killed by a shell. |
