 During the German retreat to the Hindenburg Line , Whittle took part in the 12th Battalion 's attack on the villages of La Barque and Ligny @-@ Thilloy as a member of Captain James Newland 's A Company on 26 – 27 February 1917 . At Bark Trench , a position on the north side of the centre of La Barque , the company encountered a German strongpoint and Newland was wounded . Rallying his men , Whittle rushed the post and started bombing the occupants with grenades . He then chased the Germans as they began to retreat down the trench line , before they were forced from the position . For his efforts during the assault , Whittle was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal , the recommendation of which cited his " ... conspicuous gallantry in the presence of the enemy " . The announcement of the award was published in a supplement to the London Gazette on 26 April 1917 . 
