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Noel Alexander Target |
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Lieutenant Noel Alexander Target - Regiment: Durham Light Infantry Unit Text: 13th Bn. Date of Death: 04/08/1916 Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead Grave/Memorial Reference: Pier and Face 14 A and 15 C Cemetery: THIEPVAL MEMORIAL.
Born 23 November 1895 at London, son of Felix Alexander Target MICE, Civil Engineer, Indian Public Works Department, of Donnington, Pinner, by his wife Nita, daughter of Harrison Chilton; educated at Haileybury College. first commission as temp 2nd Lieutenant 13th (Service) Bn DLI 22 September 1914; temp Lieutenant 3 March 1915; commissioned regulars, 2nd Lieutenant DLI 4 April 1916 (3 May 1916). Served European War 1914-16, France and Belgium 20 November 1915 to 4 August 1916, with 13th Bn DLI, 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal, (awarded the MC for conspicuous bravery while leading a successful raid on the enemy's trenches, in company with a brother officer; by their pluck and dash in keeping their party so close under our own bombardment of the enemy trench, our shells were bursting over them while entering the Hun wire, and the Battalion was thanked by General Headquarters for the success it achieved.) MC (London Gazette 24 June 1916, citation London Gazette 27 July 1916) "For conspicuous gallantry. Lieuts Clark and Target led a successful raid on the enemy's trenches. At least twelve of the enemy were accounted for, and live deep occupied dug-outs were bombed. Owing to the skill and rapidity of action there were only three slight casualties in their party." Was originally intended for the Indian Police, for which he had just qualified when war was declared in August 1914. Killed in action on the Somme 4 August 1916, while defending a section of trench under heavy machine-gun fire. The Brigadier-General wrote "I always regarded him as a promising officer, and he proved his gallantry on many occasions; his loss will be felt very much in his regiment, where he was admired by all ranks. In all the strenuous fighting in which we were engaged, he, by his cool daring, shone amongst the many brave men associated with him. He was buried in the trench he gave his life to hold". Commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial, France.
His obituary read
TARGET, NOEL ALEXANDER, M.C., Lieut., 2nd Battn. (106th Foot) The Durham Light Infantry, s. of Felix Alexander Target M.I.C.E., of Donnington, Pinner, by his wife, Nita, dau. of Harrison Chilton; and great-great-gdson. of Genera Baron Target, Governor of Warsaw; b. London, 23 Nov. 1895; educ. Haileybury College; was originally intended for the Indian Police, for which he had just qualified when war was declared in Aug. 1914; obtained a commission, and was gazetted 2nd Lieut. The Durham Light Infantry; promoted Lieut. in March 1915; served with the Expeditionary Force in France and Flanders from that month, and was killed in action on the Somme, while dfending a section of trench under heavy machine gun fire. Buried where he fell. The Brigadier wrote: " I always regarded him as a promising officer and he proved his gallantry on many occassions; his loss will be felt very much in this regiment where he was admired by all ranks. In all the strenuous fighting in which we were engaged, he, by his cool daring, shone amongst the many brave men associated with him. He was buried in the trench he gave his life to hold." He was awarded the M.C. for conspicuous bravery, while leading a successful raid on the enemy's trenches, in company with a brother officer; by their pluck and dash in keeping their party so close under our own bombardment of the enemy trench, our shells were bursting over them while entering the Hun wire, and the battalion was thanked by General Headquarters for the success it achieved; unm.
Noel Target joined Clifton in 1913-14