London Gazette: 29286
Date: September 6, 1915
Honour or Award: Distinguished Conduct Medal
Name: William Errol Hart (10538)
Unit: 4th Battalion

Details: For conspicuous gallantry, ability, and devotion to duty on the 23rd April,1915, at Langemarck, when he carried many messages for the Commanding Officer under a very heavy rifle, machine gun and shell fire. From the 28th to the 31st May, at Festubert, he repaired, on no less than eleven occasions in broad daylight, under a heavy shell fire and while being constantly sniped at, breaks in the telephone wires. He was also every night engaged on this hazardous work. At Givenchy his cool bravery and excellent work, in the face of severe and constant fire, was mainly instrumental in keeping communication intact.

BX August 13, 1915 

Distinguished Conduct Medal Award – Lance Sergeant William Errol Hart Honored for Service at the Front

Word was received here today that Lance Sergeant William Errol Hart of the 4th Battalion has been awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal for Bravery at the front.

Lance Sergeant William Hart was the first man in Brantford to volunteer. He joined the Dufferin Rifles active service squad as a signaller, and left with Capt. Malcolm Colquhoun. He was a crack shot in the regiment and scoutmaster of the Grace Church Boy Scouts.

He owned a farm on the Mt. Pleasant Road, which he worked himself. Many local friends will extend congratulations.

BX September 7, 1915 

The D.C.M. For Sergeant William Errol Hart – Local Man Honored for Bravery in Keeping up Wire Communications

Brantford men are second to none for downright bravery. That has again been demonstrated in the case of Lance-Sergt. William Errol Hart, who has been awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal for extreme gallantry while under shell and rifle fire – gallantry repeated eleven times in succession. Each time it was in the face of almost sure death that the Lance-Sergeant went out, but he was wonderfully fortunate in escaping with his life.

Lance-Sergeant William Errol Hart enlisted with the First Contingent from the Dufferin Rifles under Capt. (Now Lieut.-Col.) Malcolm Alexander Colquhoun. He was a farmer, residing at the Y.M.C.A. For eleven months he had been a member of the R.C.R., and for three and one-half years was with the Dufferin Rifles before enlisting.

BX November 17, 1915

Why Lance Sergeant William Errol Hart Received D.C.M. and Commission – Pte. Chas. Jones, Returned Hero Tells of Indomitable Courage and Coolness Displayed at Langemarck by Hart, who Carried Despatches and Kept up Telephone Communication Under Heavy Machine Gun and Rifle Fire

Cool indomitable courage, the facility for quick thinking and prompt action, a few of the qualities admired and desired in a soldier today, were in a great measure responsible for creditable and well-deserved honor which has been conferred upon Lance-Corporal William Hart, one of Brantford’s hero boys, who has recently received his commission as lieutenant and who has also received the Distinguished Conduct Medal for services rendered at Langemarck and other battles.

When the call to arms came to defend the nation against the despotism of the Huns, Mr. Hart, who was living on his farm on the Burford Road, was among the first to come forward and offer to do his bit for the cause of freedom and justice. He left Brantford about 15 months ago; with the first overseas service company from this city and after the customary delays for proper instruction at Valcartier and Salisbury Plain arrived in France in February with the 4th Battalion under Lieut.-Col. Betham.

Private C.W. Jones, a soldier who has done his part, and been returned to the city, an actual eye-witness of the Battle of Langemarck, speaks in very high terms of the coolness and bravery displayed there by Hart, who left his position of signaller at the rear of the troops and volunteered and accomplished on three different occasions, in broad daylight, in face of machine gun and rifle fire, the carrying of despatches of great importance to the colonel commanding the battalion. Few perhaps realized the magnitude of the risk incurred on an occasion like this.

Hart has been ever popular with his officers and comrades and has proved himself a soldier worthy of the honor shown him, not only at the Battle of Langemarck, but also at Festubert, Givenchy and other conflicts in which he took an active part. At Festubert he was awarded praise for his efficiency in the work of repairing wires that communications might be kept up.

It was after the daring feat performed at Langemarck that Hart was recommended for the D.C.M., which he received along with his promotion a short time ago. He has proved himself worthy of all the recognition awarded him and whether he be spared to win further honors, or if, in the performance of his duty, his life should be taken away, his name will go down in the annals of history as one of Brantford’s boys who did his duty.
 
BX March 20, 1916 

Official Record of Hart’s Bravery – Lieutenant Colonel Malcolm Colquhoun and Lieutenant William Errol Hart Mentioned in War Record – A Heroic Act

Amongst the many stories of self-sacrifice, and acts of heroism recorded in the story “Canada in Flanders” which is Volume I of the official story of the Canadian Expeditionary Force written by Sir Max Aitken, M.P., is one that tells of the great gallantry of two Brantford men.

The book is a record of acts of heroism performed by officers and men, amongst whom are Lieut.-Col. M.A. Colquhoun and Lieutenant William E. Hart. The story of their bravery reads as follows:

The 4th Canadian Battalion was under continuous fire at Festubert through ten days and 11 nights. On the morning of May 27 all communication wires between the fire-trench and the battalion and brigade headquarters were cut by the enemy’s fire, and a 9 o’clock Private (now Lieutenant) W.E.F. Hart volunteered to mend the wires. Hart was with Maj. (now Lieut.-Col.) M.A. Colquhoun at the time and they had together twice been partially buried by shell fire earlier in the morning. Private Hart mended 11 breaks in the wire and reestablished communication to both battalion and brigade headquarters. He was at work in the Orchard under shrapnel, machine gun and rifle fire, without any cover, for 30 minutes. Hart, who is now signalling officer of the 4th Battalion, is a young man, and the owner of a farm near Brantford, Ont. He has been with the battalion since August 1914.