I beg to say that No. 3937 Rfn H.D. Christiansen who had the ¬misfortune to accidently wound himself last night, Statement of Court of Inquiry attached is a very good soldier, he behaved very well indeed in the action at GOMMECOURT on July lst and his Company Commander speaks very well of him as a stout and good, soldier who has no fear of shell or bullet.
I am satisfied that he is not a man who would ever intentionally wound himself, & further that in his case there was culpable negligence but pure bad luck & while he was in the execution ¬of his duty.
The trench was so knocked about that he had to get out of it in order to get along to report to his Officer & in getting in again it was really in the endeavour to avoid jumping onto a man whom he did not at first see in the dark that the accent happened.
I am satisfied he is in no way to blame.
No disciplinary action has been taken, as I do not consider it necessary. The accident was in the execution of his duty.

16/7/16.
(Sd) R. Shoolbred Lt Col
Commanding 1/Queens Westminster Rifles.

Herewith proceedings of Court of Enquiry
held on 16/7/16 to investigate the circumstances under
which No. 3937 Rfn H.M. Christiansen, 16th Londons
was wounded.

Rfn. Christiansen was on his way with a
message to his Company Headquarters in the trenches.
To facilitate matters he walked along the parapet
until he arrived at a Fire Bay. He then jumped into
the trench, slightly deviating from his original
course in order to avoid a man. His arm caught on a
bayonet. He had his arm bound and delivered his message.
He will be unable to perform his military duties for about
one month. He was on duty at the time.

I am of opinion that Rfn. Christiansen was wounded
accidentally, and that he was not to blame.

signed by Lieutenant General.
Commanding VII Corps. 20/7/16

Harold Neils Christiansen, Rifleman or Private, Number 551320, survived a dreadful battle at Gommecourt on 1 July 1916 when from over 1,000 men only 198 men survived.

The young Chris Christiansen in his uniform.

This is the belt that Chris Christiansen wore during WWI. On it he kept the badges given to him by the mates he fought alongside.

John Christiansen brought in his father's medals for us to photograph.

But we still need to name them correctly - especially the rare one on the righthand side.