The 4th Canadian Mounted Rifles - ElectricCanadian.com

122 4ra CANADIAN MOUNTED RIFLESThe capture of the town followed.One platoon of theleft company went around the north of Folies, one platoonthrough the town, the remainder skirmishing andclearing out some of the enemy who were fighting fromold gun-pits. Major Sifton, who had worked his company around the south of the town, sent a platoon underLieutenant F. W. Rous to enfilade the enemy who wasretiring from the north-eastern end of the village. Lieutenant Rous successfully cut off the force which was thesize of two platoons and although shot through the leftlung remained with his men and directed the work ofconsolidation. For this devotion to duty he was awardedthe Military Cross. By 5.00 p.m. the Battalion hadreached its objective and was consolidating in a trenchwith the 5th C. M. R. on the right and the 1st Divisionon the left. At 7.15 p.m. Battalion Headquarters movedfurther forward, and all settled down for the night.There was some rather harassing fire during the nightfrom what appeared to be two batteries of field guns andsome howitzers, but otherwise the companies were undisturbed.Throughout this whole action Major Sifton was atower of strength. He was the senior officer with thefighting troops and took command, not only of his owncompany but of others which had lost their leaders. Hesaved many casualties by making a personal reconnaissance of the jumping-off positions before the attack and"duringthe advance of about four kilometres underheavy machine-gun fire he directed the attack of hiscompany and when two company commanders becamecasualties he assumed command of the attacking companies and directed the organization of the Battalionoutpost line. His absolute disregard for his personal-safety and his skill and initiative were a splendid exampleto all ranks and contributed largely to the success of theattack." He received the Distinguished Service Orderfor his outstanding work on this day.The Battalion lost their Chaplain, Captain W. H.Davis and also Lieutenant A. D. McDonald who hadbeen with the 4th C. M. R. almost two years. Captain