James SOMERS. V.C. (2)

Sergeant M/39117 James SOMMERS. Army Service Corps, Previously 10512, 1st Royal Iniskilling Fusiliers. Location Gallipoli 1915
Born 12 June 1894 in Bellurbet, County Cavan, Ireland to Robert Wilson and Charlotte Emily Somers, nee Boyce nee Somers. Died of pulmonary tuberculosis 7 May 1918 aged 23 years at Cloughjordan, Ireland.

28 August 1919 Katherine, widow was granted a war gratuity. At rest in Modreeny Church of Ireland Churchyard, County Tipperary, Ireland

V.C. Citation -
For most conspicuous bravery on the night of 1-2 July 1915, in the Southern Zone of the Gallipoli Peninsula, when owing to hostile bombing, some troops of our troops had retired from a sap, Sergeant Somers remained alone on the spot until a party brought up bombs. He then climbed over the Turkish trench and bombed the Turks with great effect. Later he advanced into the open under heavy fire and held back the enemy by throwing bombs into their flank until a barricade had been established. During this period, he frequently ran to a from our trenches to obtain fresh supplies of bombs. By his great gallantry and coolness Sergeant Somers was largely instrumental in effecting the recapture of a portion of our trenches which had been lost.

This memorial flag was on display at the World Fallen (Temporary) Memorial on the 11 November 2018 at the National Memorial Arboretum, Alrewas, Staffordshire