World War I Victoria Cross Recipient. At the start of World War I, he enlisted in the service as a Private in B Company, 26th Battalion, Australian Imperial Forces. For his actions on the Western Front in the Battle of Pozières, he was awarded the Military Medal and later promoted Lieutenant. On July 17, 1918, he was leading his platoon in an assault at Villers-Bretonneux, France. As he and his men reached the enemy trench line, he noticed a machine-gun firing through the Australian barrage. Running out ahead of his men into the barrage, he shot the gunners with his revolver and captured the gun. He then led a small party against the strongly held trench, bombed two dug-outs and took thirty prisoners. For most conspicuous bravery, he was awarded the Victoria Cross on September 3, 1918. With the outbreak of World War II, he was appointed a Lieutenant in the 12th Australian Garrison Battalion, attached to the Prisoner of War Group at Rushworth, Victoria. Promoted Captain in September 1942, he served with the 51st Garrison Company at Myrtleford, Victoria, until discharged in 1945. After the war, he joined the Commonwealth Department of Supply and Shipping, New South Wales and was an inspector until his retirement in 1956.
World War I Victoria Cross Recipient. At the start of World War I, he enlisted in the service as a Private in B Company, 26th Battalion, Australian Imperial Forces. For his actions on the Western Front in the Battle of Pozières, he was awarded the Military Medal and later promoted Lieutenant. On July 17, 1918, he was leading his platoon in an assault at Villers-Bretonneux, France. As he and his men reached the enemy trench line, he noticed a machine-gun firing through the Australian barrage. Running out ahead of his men into the barrage, he shot the gunners with his revolver and captured the gun. He then led a small party against the strongly held trench, bombed two dug-outs and took thirty prisoners. For most conspicuous bravery, he was awarded the Victoria Cross on September 3, 1918. With the outbreak of World War II, he was appointed a Lieutenant in the 12th Australian Garrison Battalion, attached to the Prisoner of War Group at Rushworth, Victoria. Promoted Captain in September 1942, he served with the 51st Garrison Company at Myrtleford, Victoria, until discharged in 1945. After the war, he joined the Commonwealth Department of Supply and Shipping, New South Wales and was an inspector until his retirement in 1956.
Bio by: John "J-Cat" Griffith
Inscription
Aged 86 years
VC, MM, MID
Family Members
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