Richard Travis, Date of Birth, Place of Birth, Date of Death

Richard Travis

Recipient of the Victoria Cross

Date of Birth: 06-Apr-1884

Place of Birth: Opotiki, Bay of Plenty Region, New Zealand

Date of Death: 25-Jul-1918

Profession: military personnel

Nationality: New Zealand

Zodiac Sign: Aries

Richard Charles Travis, (born Dickson Cornelius Savage; 6 April 1884 – 25 July 1918) was a New Zealand soldier who fought during the First World War and was posthumously decorated with the Victoria Cross (VC), the highest award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to Commonwealth forces. Born in Opotiki, Travis worked as a farm hand and horse breaker and, as a young man, led a transient existence after leaving home at the age of 21.
He volunteered for the New Zealand Expeditionary Force following the outbreak of the First World War and served briefly at Gallipoli.
He was later sent to France where he fought in the trenches along the Western Front, earning a reputation as scout and sniper and receiving awards for his gallantry.
On 24 July 1918, he carried out a reconnaissance into "no man's land" prior to an attack by his battalion, destroying a wire obstacle that may have slowed progress for the advancing troops.
During the attack itself, he made a solo foray to deal with two weapons pits that were delaying the advance.
He was killed by shellfire the next day but his exploits of 24 July led to him being awarded the VC posthumously.