Acting without orders, Private Whitfield, single-handedly attacked a Lewis Gun that the Turks had been using to inflict heavy casualties upon the British forces. Killing or bayonetting the entire gun crew, Private Whitfield then turned the gun onto the advancing Turks, driving them back while still acting alone as his comrades struggled to reach him in the face of heavy fire. Leaving the gun, the bravery of the man was to be further enhanced as he then led grenade attacks, rushing another machine gun position and destroying it, before continuing to hold the post until reinforced. As with many winners of the VC, Whitfield returned to his normal life without making much of his heroism, continuing his pre-war work as a dairy farmer, as well as being a guest at many local, regimental, and formal occasions through the years. Harold Whitfield VC, died in 1956, at 70 years of age, ironically after being hit by an army vehicle while making his way home from work and was lain to rest in Oswestry. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harold_Whitfield http://www.bordercountiesadvertizer.co.uk/news/136442/first-world-war-victoria-cross-winner-harold-whitfield.aspx
