Cemetery: Vis-En-Artois Memorial

Country: France

Area: Pas De Calais

Rank: Chief Petty Officer

Force: Royal Navy

Official Number: Wales Z/42

Unit: Drake Bn. R.N. Div.

Country of Service: British

Details: V C D C M 27th September 1918. Age 32. Son of John Prowse; husband of Sarah Prowse of 65 Pentre-Treharne Rd. Landore Swansea. Panel 1 and 2. An extract from "The London Gazette dated 29th Oct., 1918, records the following:-For most conspicuous bravery and devotion to duty when during an advance a portion of his company became disorganised by heavy machine gun fire from an enemy strong point. Collecting what men were available he led them with great coolness and bravery against this strong point capturing it together with twenty-three prisoners and five machine guns. Later he took a patrol forward in face of much enemy opposition and established it on important high ground. On another occasion he displayed great heroism by attacking single-handed an ammunition limber which was trying to recover ammunition killing three men who accompanied it and capturing the limber. Two days later he rendered valuable services when covering the advance of his company with a Lewis gun section, and located later on two machine gun positions in a concrete emplacement, which were holding up the advance of the battalion on the right. With complete disregard of personal danger he rushed forward with a small party and attacked and captured these posts, killing six enemy and taking thirteen prisoners and two machine guns. He was the only survivor of the gallant party, but by this daring and heroic action he enabled the battalion on the right to push forward without further machine gun fire from the village. Throughout the whole operations his magnificent example and leadership were an inspiration to all, and his courage was superb."

Photograph by David Milborrow