Sgt. Richard Charles Travis, VC DCM MM

Dickson Cornelius Savage was born at Ōpōtiki in the Bay of Plenty of New Zealand's North Island on 6 April 1884. He was the fifth child in a family of nine to parents James Whitford Savage and Fanny Theresa Savage (nee O'Keefe). When he was 21 years of age he changed his name to Richard Charles Travis, the name he served during World War I under. He was promoted to Sergeant at Flanders, and was given command of the sniping and observing organisation of the 2nd Battalion, and in that capacity gathered around him a small band of men whose special function was night patrolling of No Man's Land and of enemy territory generally. He was killed in action at Rossignol Wood in Hébuterne, France and was buried in the Couin New British Cemetery.

Military Decorations

• Victoria Cross (VC): For most conspicuous bravery and devotion to duty. During "surprise" operations it was necessary to destroy an impassable wire block. Sergeant Travis, regardless of all personal danger, volunteered for this duty. Before zero hour, in broad daylight, and in close proximity to enemy posts, he crawled out and successfully destroyed the block with bombs, thus enabling the attacking parties to pass through. A few minutes later a bombing party of the right of the attack was held up by two enemy machine guns, and the success of the whole operation was in danger. Perceiving this, Sergeant Travis, with great gallantry and utter disregard of danger, rushed the position, killed the crew and captured the guns. An enemy officer and three men immediately rushed at him from a bend in the trench and attempted to retake the guns. These four he killed single-handed, thus allowing the bombing party, on which much depended, to advance. The success of the operation was almost entirely due to the heroic work of this non-commissioned officer, and to the vigour with which he made and used opportunities for inflicting casualties on the enemy. He was killed twenty-four hours later when, under a most intense bombardment prior to an enemy counterattack, he was going from post to post encouraging the men. Source: Victoria Cross - London Gazette, 27 September 1918, p11431, Rec No 2282.
• Distinguished Conduct Medal (DCM): For conspicuous gallantry in action. He went out by himself and accounted for several enemy snipers who were firing at a working party. He has on many previous occasions done very fine work. Source: Distinguished Conduct Medal - London Gazette, 25 November 1916, p11563.
• Military Medal (MM) Operations: On the British Front east of Hebuterne - 14th May 1918. For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. This N.C.O. commanded a patrol of four men which went out in broad daylight, and captured an enemy machine gun post; although their Battalion was in support these men volunteered to go out and secure identification, which was urgently required. They left our front line trench at about 7.15pm in broad daylight and by skillful use of ground they crept up to the enemy post unobserved, and, disposing themselves very cleverly completely surprised the enemy post of seven Germans. The Officer of the post showed fight and had to be shot; the connections in the post aroused a neighbouring post post who rushed down the sap to the aid of their comrades, firing at the above patrol who were conducting our prisoners to our lines; two of them being shot by their own comrades. The withdrawal was very cleverly covered by Sergeant Travis who fired his revolver until it was emptied. The above was carried out in a most daring manner, and the men concerned showed courage of a very high order, while the scheme was worked out very cleverly in all details. These men were subjected to heavy machine gun fire on withdrawing from the enemy post and were sniped at from all sides. The whole scheme had to be carried out with the utmost despatch, but nevertheless it was a complete success without casualties on our side. This N.C.O. by his excellent patrol work has obtained much valuable information example of courage and devotion to duty. Source: London Gazette, 13 September 1918, p10779, Rec No 2169.
• Croix de Guerre (Belgium): London Gazette, 12 July 1918, p 8191.
• Mentioned in Despatches (MiD) Twice
• 1914-1915 Star
• British War medal
• Victory Medal

Sources

1. Cenotaph Record
2. Commonwealth War Graves Commission Record 1
3. Commonwealth War Graves Commission Record 2
4. New Zealand War Graves Record
5. New Zealand and World War One Roll of Honour: http://freepages.rootsweb.com/~sooty/genealogy/nzefrohSA-SL.html / Ref 16.4.2021
6. Wikipedia contributors, 'Richard Travis', Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia

Richard Charles Travis

• Rank: Serjeant
• Service No: 9/523
• Date of Death: 25/07/1918
• Age: 34
• Regiment/Service: ALIAS
• Awards: V C, D C M, M M, Twice Mentioned in Despatches
• Grave Reference: G. 5.
• Cemetery: COUIN NEW BRITISH CEMETERY
• Additional Information: (See D.C. SAVAGE, the true family name). Son of the late James and Frances Theresa Savage, of Otara, Opotiki, New Zealand. Known as "Prince of Scouts," and "King of No Man's Land." Also served in Egypt and Gallipoli. Awarded Croix de Guerre (Belgium).