World War I Victoria Cross Recipient. Cartwright was born in London and arrived in Australia on his own in 1912. He was working in Elsmore district, near Inverell, New South Wales when he enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force on December 16, 1915. Allotted service number 726, he was an original member of the 33rd Battalion formed in February 1916 as part of the 3rd Division. He embarked with his unit from Sydney on board HMAT A74 Marathon on May 4, 1916 and after training in England his unit moved to France in November. He was wounded in action at the Battle of Messines on June 9, 1917 but remained on duty. After being gassed at Villers-Bretonneux, France, on April 17, 1918 he was hospitalized and rejoined his unit in June. On August 31, the 33rd Battalion attacked south-west of Bouchavesnes, France and the leading troops were stopped by machine-gun fire from a post at the corner of Road Wood. Without hesitation, Private Cartwright stood up and moved towards the gun, firing his rifle from the shoulder. He shot the gunner, threw a grenade at the post and covered by the explosion, rushed forward, capturing the gun and nine German soldiers. The battalion renewed their advance and Cartwright was awarded the Victoria Cross. A month later he was wounded in the head and the left arm and evacuated to England. On March 8, 1919 he received his Victoria Cross from King George V at Buckingham Palace. He returned to Australia and was discharged on July 1. He married Elsie Broker at St Stephen's Anglican Church, Chatswood on June 25, 1921 and had two children before being divorced. On February 15, 1932 he was appointed a lieutenant with the part time 4th/3rd Battalion and was appointed temporary captain with the unlinked 4th Battalion on October 27, 1939 and promoted captain on September 1, 1942. He only served in Australia during World War II and was placed on the Retired List on May 11, 1946. He married Evelyn Mary Short on September 4, 1948 in the Congregational Church, Pitt Street, Sydney. He died in 1978, survived by his wife and the son of his first marriage and was cremated. His widow presented his Victoria Cross and other medals to the Imperial War Museum, London where they are on permanent display.

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