Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Lieutenant

Unit:

The Royal Hamilton Light Infantry

Awarded on:

November 4th, 1944

Citation:
"During the attack on Verrieres on 25 July 1944, Lieutenant Ernest Theodore Harshman commanded a platoon of The Royal Hamilton Light Infantry. On reaching a hedgerow four hundred yards from the objective, the platoon came under heavy machine gun fire. Lieutenant Harshman was hit and suffered a compound fracture of one leg.
In spite of his wounds, and because he realized that the success of the attack depended largely upon his leadership, he refused medical treatment and crawled forward. With the greatest skill, gallantry and determination, he led his platoon on to the objective and directed the consolidation of the position. He remained in complete control until an immediate counter-attack had been repulsed, and only then did he submit to medical treatment.
This Officer's extreme courage and sense of devotion to his troops in leading them forward, although severely wounded and in great pain, was responsible, not only for the successful capture of the platoon objective, but for the success of the battalion attack."