At Onderbank Spruit, on February 23, 1900, Colonel R. H. W. H.
Harris, C.B., was severely wounded, and lay during the whole day
in an exposed position, and under a heavy fire from the Boers
posted behind a breastwork at short range. They fired at any one
who gave any sign of life, and Colonel Harris was hit eight or
nine times. Curtis made several ineffectual attempts to
reach the wounded officer, and at last succeeded in doing so.
Notwithstanding the fire directed upon him, Curtis attended to
the Colonel's wounds, gave him a drink from his flask and
endeavoured to carry him to shelter. Finding he was not equal to
the task, he called for help, upon which Private Morton
immediately dashed out, and in spite of the Colonel's entreaties
to them to leave him and not risk their lives, the two men
succeeded in carrying him to cover.The Victoria Cross was
presented to him at Pietermaritzburg on August 14, 1901, by
H.R.H. the Duke of York.
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