World War I British Victoria Cross Recipient. Born in South Australia, he was a lawyer in practice when he enlisted as a Private in the 10th Battalion, Australian Imperial Force to serve in Word War I. He was commissioned 2nd Lieutenant in August 1916 and served throughout the Gallipoli Campaign and in France. On July 23, 1916, he commanded a party of fifty men in the face of fierce enemy opposition, at Pozières, France. He personally led four successive bombing parties, destroying the German strong point and captured nearly 400 yards of trench in the victory. For this exploit of most conspicuous bravery, he was awarded the Victoria Cross in September 1916, by King George V at Buckingham Palace. After the war, he returned to legal practice, was a Nationalist member for Sturt in the House of Assembly and served as a Colonel in the Australian Militia. Answering the call to duty during World War II, he commanded a Allied Battalion in campaigns against the Japanese at Syria in 1941 and at Java, in 1942. For distinguished service, he was promoted Brigadier General Commander of the Order of the British Empire in 1946.
World War I British Victoria Cross Recipient. Born in South Australia, he was a lawyer in practice when he enlisted as a Private in the 10th Battalion, Australian Imperial Force to serve in Word War I. He was commissioned 2nd Lieutenant in August 1916 and served throughout the Gallipoli Campaign and in France. On July 23, 1916, he commanded a party of fifty men in the face of fierce enemy opposition, at Pozières, France. He personally led four successive bombing parties, destroying the German strong point and captured nearly 400 yards of trench in the victory. For this exploit of most conspicuous bravery, he was awarded the Victoria Cross in September 1916, by King George V at Buckingham Palace. After the war, he returned to legal practice, was a Nationalist member for Sturt in the House of Assembly and served as a Colonel in the Australian Militia. Answering the call to duty during World War II, he commanded a Allied Battalion in campaigns against the Japanese at Syria in 1941 and at Java, in 1942. For distinguished service, he was promoted Brigadier General Commander of the Order of the British Empire in 1946.
Bio by: John "J-Cat" Griffith
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