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Major Okill Massey Learmonth VC MC.
Canadian Expeditionary Forces 2nd Btn. (Eastern Ontario Regiment),
(d.19th August 1917)
Okill Learmonth died of wounds 19th August 1917 and is buried in the Noeux-les-Mines Communal Cemetery in France.
An extract from the London Gazette, No. 30372, dated 6th Nov., 1917, records the following:- "For most conspicuous bravery and exceptional devotion to duty. During a determined counter-attack on our new positions, this officer, when his company was momentarily surprised, instantly charged and personally disposed of the attackers. Later he carried on a tremendous fight with the advancing enemy. Although under intense barrage fire and mortally wounded, he stood on the parapet of the trench, and bombed the enemy continuously and directed the defence in such a manner as to infuse a spirit of utmost resistance into his men. On several occasions this very brave officer actually caught bombs thrown at him by the enemy and threw them back. When he was unable by reason of his wounds to carry on the fight he still refused to be carried out of the line, and continued to give instructions and invaluable advice to his junior officers, finally handing over all his duties before he was evacuated from the front line to the hospital where he died."
