238:. A fierce rear guard action prevented the destruction of 101 Brigade. Orders to evacuate Armentieres were issued at 1050 hours but with communications cut, it was not until the afternoon that a fighting withdrawal could begin. Street fighting took place in the town held by the British since 1914. Fewer and fewer bridges remained. 102 Brigade, having received the orders first, crossed its entire force to the north side of the Lys by 6.20pm to defend Nieppe. 101 Brigade, the most heavily engaged unit, crossed the river but the 18/Northumberland Fusiliers and 1/4 Duke of Wellingtons took casualties. The Duke's found themselves on the wrong side of the river and surrounded with no bridges left to cross. It was in this context that no. 24066 Private Arthur Poulter of the Duke's won his Victoria Cross.
230:, the German II Bavarian Corps put pressure on 34 Division holding the salient around Armentieres. From 7.00am and through the morning, the Bavarians renewed their fierce attacks against 101 Brigade (plus the 11 Suffolks of 121 Brigade) that were holding the Fort Rompu-Erquinghem-Lys-Bois Grenier line. Although they broke through the British defences enough troops were scratched together to make a counter-attack that drove them out again. Although 101 Brigade was reinforced by 1/4 Duke of Wellingtons of 147 Brigade, 49 (West Riding) Division,
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has erected a memorial to Pte
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where it was on public display. The medal is now in a safe place; a replica is currently on display following an attempted burglary at the museum.
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when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.
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The Battle for
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357:26 October
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460:News item
278:The medal
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383:30 April
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