 Awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal (DCM) for his actions at Sanctuary Wood in 1916 as a sergeant, Robert Shankland received a battlefield commission and continued to serve with the 43rd Battalion as an officer.On the morning of 26 October, he led his platoon of 40 men from "D" Company to the crest of the hill at the Bellevue Spur, the main trench line defending Passchendaele.Overrunning it and holding the position was critical to capturing the town.