As a boy in Dildo, Newfoundland, Andrew Ralph Smith was "quick and fast and could often outperform lads much older than himself in races and other physical activities engaged by young people." In 1915, at the Regimental Depot in Ayr, Scotland, this speed and agility held him in good stead. He was to be a runner for the Newfoundland Regiment. There were telephones and telegraphs but cables between front lines and Headquarters were often destroyed and communications depended on messages carried by runners. For longer distances, they used bicycles. The work required physical stamina, daring and cunning as runners were favorite targets of enemy snipers and machine gun crews. Running meant quick dashes between trenches, through barbed wire, water and mud filled holes and across terrain infiltrated by the enemy. Smaller men were chosen to be runners for a taller man was a bigger target. It was a precarious role, its casualty rate second only to stretcher bearers. They were perceived as trustworthy as lives depended on them. It was a position of respect. They worked in pairs in case one was wounded or killed and they were not allowed to stop if the other was hit. They did not usually carry a rifle. They were allowed a pistol and knife. They wore red bands (brassards) on their left arms so troops would recognize them in trenches and let them through. On October 14, 1918, during the Battle of Ledgehem in Belgium, Tommy Rickets won the highest military honor, the Victoria Cross. During the same battle, Andrew and two other runners were awarded the Military Medal. Recording the actual deed is this letter in his military file. "For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty, on the 14th October 1918, during the advance from Ledgehem towards the Lys River, this man was acting as Company runner. During the whole of the day, he repeatedly carried messages from the front line to Battalion Headquarters and back over ground swept by machine gun fire and by snipers. On one occasion when two runners had been sniped before they had gone 100 yards, Pte. Smith at once volunteered to take the message and get it back to Battalion Headquarters. Throughout the day he showed a complete disregard of danger." Two weeks prior to Ledgehem, Andrew's captain, Herbert Rendell, died in his arms. In torrential rain, the Regiment was holed up in muddy trenches under heavy machine gun fire. Andrew, who had just run a message, reported to Rendell there were snipers everywhere. Instinctively, the captain rose to the top of the trench to view the situation. Andrew protested, "I wouldn't do that if I was you, sir," but it was too late. Rendell was shot in the throat. It was reported on Sunday, September 29, 1918, at 1:25 PM, that Captain Rendell, M.C. M.I.D., was killed in action near Zonnebeke at 11 AM. He was 29 years old. An eye witness report from Second Lieutenant McHenry stated he died instantly. The officer commanding 1st Battalion reported he lived two minutes. Andrew was with him when he died. Traditionally only officers' names were recorded so Andrew's name or his accounting of the incident would not be used in the report. It was the runner's duty to report the death of an officer to Headquarters. The death struck a chord with Andrew. Family and friends encouraged him to share his memories with Captain Rendell's family but he was reluctant to do so. Rendell's parents were Dr. Herbert Sr. and Eliza (Clift) Rendell, a prominent St. John's family who lived on Duckworth Street. Dr. Rendell was the first superintendent of the Sanatorium. A younger son, Second Lieutenant Clifford Rendell, died as a result of a wound at Beaumont Hamel. His right leg required amputation and there were hopes of a recovery. Cablegrams reveal that a Herbert and a Miss Mary Rendell were at his side in a French hospital. Clifford died of septicemia, blood poisoning, July 22, 1916. He was 21 years old. At a ceremony in St, John's, September 16, 1919, Andrew was listed as one of six to receive a Military Medal. Three were awarded posthumously. One of those was William P. King, a runner with Andrew at Ledgehem. Dr. Rendell advised he was attending the ceremony, â��that it would be my son's wish that his (Military) Cross should be presented to his mother." Were Andrew and Dr. Rendell at the investiture the same time? In a letter dated September 12, 1919, Andrew, my grandfather, said he planned to attend. He would have made the connection. How did he feel? Andrew's story is written in the book, ANDREW AND VIOLET: The Story of my Grandparents by Gloria (Hellier) Brown.   Submitted By: Gloria Brown