World War I Victoria Cross Recipient. A native of Ireland, he received the award posthumously (presented to his mother) from British King George V at Buckingham Palace on June 21, 1919, for his actions as a 2nd lieutenant with the 15th Battalion, The Royal Irish Rifles, British Army, on March 21, 1918, near Grugies, France, during the German Spring Offensive. He attended Campbell College in Belfast, Ireland before working for the Bank of Ireland. He emigrated to Edmonton, Canada where he worked for the Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce. When World War I broke out in July 1914, he served with The Queen's Own Rifles of Canada prior to his enlistment as a private in November 1914 with the 31st Battalion-Alberta Regiment, Canadian Overseas Expeditionary Force, and the following year he was sent to the Western Front in France He saw combat action at the 1st Battle of the Somme (1916) and Vimy Ridge (1917). In September 1917 he earned a commission as a 2nd lieutenant the British Army. When the Germans launched Operation Michael (Spring Offensive) on March 21, 1918, he was killed in action during the 2nd Battle of the Somme while gallantly defending his position against continuous enemy attacks. His body was never recovered. His Victoria Cross citation reads: "For most conspicuous bravery and self-sacrifice on the 21st March, 1918, at the Race Course Redoubt, near Grugies. For seven hours he held this most important post, and though twice wounded and practically single-handed, he maintained his position until another section could be got to his help. On two occasions, with two N.C.O.'s only, he got out on top under heavy machine gun and rifle fire, and cleared the enemy out of the trench, killing many. He continued to repel attack after attack until he was mortally wounded and collapsed. His valour, self-sacrifice and example were of the highest order." Mount De Wind in Alberta, Canada was named in his honor.