The acts of bravey and selflessness of some of those who gave their lives I can't even begin to comprehaend. Of course we only hear about the reported ones through service citations such as the one below, so many others gave their lives and were literally never seen again.
For acts of selflessness and personal bravery I have to go for Corporal Alfred G. Drake, 8th Rifle Brigade.
On 23rd November 1915, 8th RB was in the line at La Brique, when Lieutenant Tryon was ordered to lead a four man reconnaissance patrol into No Mans Land between the British and German forward positions, aged 21 Corporal Drake was a member of this patrol.
"For most conspicuous bravery on the night of 23rd November, 1915, near La Brique. He was one of a patrol of four which was reconnoitering towards the German lines, the patrol was discovered when close to the enemy who opened heavy fire with rifle and machine gun, wounding the officer and one man. The latter was carried back by the last remaining man. Corporal Drake remained with his officer and was last seen kneeling beside him and bandaging his wounds regardless of the enemy fire. Later a rescue party crawling near the German lines found the officer and corporal, the former unconscious but alive and bandaged. Corporal Drake beside him dead and riddled with bullets. He had given his own life and saved his officer."
Reports from the battalion state that he was draped over Lt. Tryon's body as if to protect him.