Lance-Corporal Walter Peeler Lance-Corporal Walter Peeler Unit: 3rd Pioneer Battalion, 3rd Division Action: 4 October 1917, Broodseinde, east of Ypres, Belgium Peeler, 30, was instructed to provide anti-aircraft fire with his Lewis gun during the attack on Broodseinde, but he led the fight on several stages including when he discovered a group of the enemy picking off the Australian troops with sniper fire. The citation says: ``Peeler immediately rushed the position, and accounted for nine of the enemy, and cleared the way for the advance. On two subsequent occasions, he performed similar acts of valour, and each time accounted for a number of the enemy. "During operations, he was directed to a position from which an enemy machine-gun was being fired on our troops. He located and killed the gunner, and the remainder of the enemy party ran into a dugout close by. From this shelter they were dislodged by a bomb, and 10 of the enemy ran out. These he disposed of. "This non-commissioned officer actually accounted for over 30 of the enemy. He displayed an absolute fearlessness in making his way ahead of the first wave of the assault, and the fine example which he set insured the success of the attack against most determined opposition.'' Biography: As a soldier, Peeler experienced both the horrors of the Western Front and, more than 25 years later, the brutality of life in a Japanese prison camp. Born in Castlemaine, Victoria, on 9 August 1887, Peeler worked in a foundry before enlisting on 17 February 1916. He was wounded twice in 1917, and finished the war with the rank of sergeant. After the war, he worked with the Victorian Department of Lands helping former soldiers resettle. He quit and, like his father, took up an orchard. When Victoria's Shrine of Remembrance was built in 1934, he took up the job of its custodian which he retained until retirement in 1964. That service however was interrupted by World War II, in which he joined the 2/2nd Pioneer Battalion. He served in Syria, and went to Java with Blackforce where, when Java surrendered, he became a prisoner and suffered harsh treatment. He died on 23 May 1968, with his wife dying a year later. They are buried in the same grave at Brighton Cemetery, Victoria. He rushed one emplacement, capturing four machine-guns and 35 prisoners'
Sergeant William Ruthven Sergeant William Ruthven Unit: 22nd Battalion, 6th Brigade, 2nd Division Action: 19 May 1918, Ville-sur-Ancre, France Two days shy of his 25th birthday, Ruthven was acting company sergeant major when his unit launched an attack to capture the high ground near Ville-sur-Ancre. When his company commander was killed, Ruthven took command and lead the attack. The citation says: ``As the leading wave approached its objective it was subjected to heavy fire from an enemy machine-gun at close range. Without hesitation, he at once sprang out, threw a bomb which landed beside the post, and rushed the position, bayoneting one of the crew and capturing the gun. ``He then encountered some of the enemy coming out of a shelter. He wounded two, captured six others in the same position, and handed them over to an escort from the leading wave, which had now reached the objective. ``Sergeant Ruthven then reorganised the men in his vicinity and established a post in the second objective. Observing enemy movement in a sunken road nearby, he, without hesitation and armed only with a revolver, went over the open (ground) alone and rushed the position, shooting two enemy who refused to come out of their dugouts. He then single handed mopped up this position and captured the whole of the garrison, amounting in all to 32.'' Biography: Ruthven served his community in three ways: on the battlefield, in politics and through sport. Born on 21 May 1893 in Collingwood, Melbourne, he was a mechanical engineer who enlisted six days before the Anzacs landed at Gallipoli. He was wounded at Fleurbaix, France in April 1916 and was promoted several times, commissioned as second lieutenant on 1 July 1918. After his commission was terminated in December 1918, he continued to serve in the reserves. He was a soldier settler on a farm in the Mallee before returning to Collingwood where he went into business before being elected to council. He was the mayor of Collingwood, and the official timekeeper of the football club for six years. He served with the 3rd Australian Garrison Battalion in World War II, finishing his service as a major. He was a Labor member in the Victorian Legislative Assembly, firstly for Preston and then Reservoir, after a redistribution, for 16 years. He died on 12 January 1970, survived by his wife and two children, and given a full military funeral. His ashes are interned at Fawkner Memorial Park.
Private (Edward) John (Francis) Ryan Private (Edward) John (Francis) Ryan Unit: 55th Battlaion, 14th Brigade, 5th Division Action: 30 September, 1918, near Bellicourt, France Ryan, 28, was part of the 55th Battalion's attack near Bellicourt. The citation says: ``In the initial assault on the enemy's positions Private Ryan went forward with great dash and determination, and was one of the first to reach the enemy trench. His exceptional skill and daring inspired his comrades, and, despite heavy fire, the hostile garrison was soon overcome and the trench occupied. The enemy then counter attacked, and succeeded in establishing a bombing party in the rear of the position. Under fire from front and rear, the position was critical, and necessitated prompt action. Quickly appreciating the situation, he organised and led the men near him with bomb and bayonet against the enemy bombers, finally reaching the position with only three men. By skilful bayonet work, his small party succeeded in killing the first three Germans on the enemy's flank, then, moving along the embarkment, Private Ryan alone rushed the remainder with bombs.'' Biography: Ryan was one of many World War I veterans who had trouble fitting into civilian life after the war. Born in Tumut, NSW, on 9 February 1890, he was a labourer who took part in the ``Kangaroos'' 500km recruitment march from Wagga to Sydney, enlisting in the AIF on 1 December 1915. His military record shows he was frequently disciplined for his behaviour, such as overstaying his leave pass, being late on parade and even after being awarded the VC he faced a district court martial for failing to appear at parade. He was hospitalised several times, including once for a gunshot wound to the shoulder sustained in the VC action and twice for a medical condition. After the war, he hitched his swag and travelled around NSW and Victoria seeking work. He was eventually employed in 1935 by an insurance company after a newspaper article highlighted his plight. He died of pneumonia on 3 June 1941 in the Royal Melbourne Hospital. He was buried with a full military funeral at the Catholic section of Springvale Cemetery in Melbourne. He was survived by two brothers and a sister.
Captain Alfred John Shout Captain Alfred John Shout Unit: 1st Battalion, 1st Brigade, 1st Division Action: 9 August 1915, Lone Pine trenches, Gallipoli Peninsula, Turkey The 1st Battalion, about 9am, relieved the men at Sasse's Sap, where a few hours earlier Private John Hamilton had fended off the Turks in an action which earned him a VC. The Turks attacked again and took over a large part of the trench. Captains Shout and Sasse and eight men charged down the trench, Shout throwing bombs while Sasse fired. The men would regain territory, build a barricade, and then set out again. Shout lit three bombs, ready for the next dash, when one exploded, blowing off his right hand and left eye and shattering the left side of his face. The citation reads: "Capt Shout charged down trenches strongly occupied by the enemy, and personally threw four bombs among them, killing eight and routing the remainder. In the afternoon of the same day, from the position gained in the morning, he captured a further length of trench under similar conditions, and continued personally to bomb the enemy at close range under very heavy fire until he was severely wounded, losing his right hand and left eye. This most gallant officer has since succumbed to his injuries." Biography: Shout lived up to the Anzac tag more than many, having served for both countries in two wars. He was born in New Zealand on 7 August 1882 and served in the Boer War with a New Zealand contingent, being mentioned in dispatches. He served with the Cape Field Artillery before migrating with his wife and daughter to Australia where worked as a carpenter in Sydney while joining the part-time Citizen's Military Force. He enlisted in the AIF and was promoted to lieutenant, distinguishing himself in the initial landing at Gallipoli. He was awarded the Military Cross for his bravery in leading a bayonet charge and promoted to captain in July. He died on board a hospital ship and was buried at sea.
Sergeant Percy Clyde Statton Sergeant Percy Clyde Statton Unit: 40th Battalion, 10th Brigade, 3rd Division Action: 12 August 1918, near Proyart, France When Statton, 27, saw a patrol of Diggers virtually wiped out in attacking a line of German machine-guns, he led three men to within 75m of the enemy. The citation says: ``Armed only with a revolver, in broad daylight, Sergeant Statton at once rushed four enemy machine-gun posts in succession, disposing of two of them, and killing five of the enemy. "The remaining two posts retired and were wiped out by Lewis gun fire. Later in the evening, under heavy machine-gun fire, he went out again and brought in two badly wounded men. Sergeant Statton set a magnificent example of quick decision, and the success of the attacking troops was largely due to his determined gallantry.'' Biography: Despite being awarded the Military Medal and VC, Statton rarely wore them after the war, telling his family he believed every man who served deserved a VC. Born in Beaconsfield, Tasmania on 21 October 1890, he married aged 17 but divorced three years later and was farming when he enlisted in March 1916. His actions over three days in June 1917 at Messines, leading troops under heavy artillery and machine-gun fire, earned him the Military Medal. He was wounded in October 1917 and again the following June when he was gassed. He was discharged from the AIF in January 1920 and married in 1925, although his second wife died in 1945. He worked in the Tasmanian timber industry and was praised for his heroism in rescuing families cut off by bushfires in 1934. He remarried in 1947 and served on the Ouse local council before he died on 7 December 1959 at the Repatriation General Hospital, Hobart. He was given a military funeral and his ashes are interred at Cornelian Bay Cemetery in Hobart. He was survived by his wife and son.
Lieutenant Percy Valentine Storkey Lieutenant Percy Valentine Storkey Unit: 19th Battalion, 5th Brigade, 2nd Division Action: 7 April 1918, Hangard Wood, France Storkey's bravest moment started with a nap. The 24-year-old had dug in and fell asleep while waiting for an artillery barrage to stop. When he woke up, he realised the rest of his company had moved out towards Hangard Wood. He hurriedly caught up with the company, which suffered heavy casualties as machine-gun fire hit it from the right flank before it could reach the cover of the wood ahead. Storkey led a group of one lieutenant and 10 men in skirting around the Germans. The 12 Australians came out of the wood and found about 100 Germans in front of them, still firing at Diggers. As the Germans spotted Storkey's group, he lead a charge despite being heavily outnumbered, trying to make it appear as if the 12 men were at the front of a much larger force. When some of the Germans hesitated in surrendering, Storkey shot three with his revolver, which then jammed, while some of the men threw grenades. The 12 men killed 30 Germans and captured more than 50 others. Biography: Storkey was on his way to a career in law before the war broke out. Born in Napier, New Zealand, on 9 September 1891, he had five years service with the Wellington Infantry before migrating to Sydney where he enrolled in law at the University of Sydney. He enlisted in the AIF a month after Australians landed at Gallipoli, and arrived in France on 14 November 1916 as a second lieutenant. He was wounded on the first day with his battalion in the attack on Gird Trenches, near Flers. He was promoted to lieutenant in January, 1917, wounded at Ypres in October and finished the war as a captain. He continued with the reserves when his AIF appointment ended in January 1919. He finished his law studies and was admitted to the bar in 1921. He worked as a crown prosecutor in south western NSW, was an active RSL member and was made a judge of the District court in 1939. He retired in 1955 to Middlesex, England, and died there on 3 October 1969. The machine-gun he captured at Hangard Wood is on display at the Australian War Memorial.
Lieutenant William John Symons Lieutenant William John Symons Unit: 7th Battalion, 2nd Brigade, 1st Division Action: 8-9 August 1915, Lone Pine trenches, Gallipoli Peninsula, Turkey Symons, 26, was in command of newly captured trenches at Goldenstedt's Post and repelled several counter-attacks with great coolness. About 5am on the 9th, Turkish forces captured the isolated Jacob's Trench, with six Australian officers killed or severely wounded in the fighting. Lieutenant-Colonel Harold `Pompey' Elliot sent for Symons, handed him his own revolver and said, ``I don't expect to see you again, but we must not lose that post''. Symons led the charge that drove the Turks out, killing two men with his revolver. Then, under fire from three sides, he withdrew to an adjacent trench that offered overhead protection. The citation says: ``The enemy succeeded in setting fire to the fascines and woodwork of the headcover, but Lieutenant Symons extinguished the fire and rebuilt the barricade. His coolness and determination finally compelled the enemy to discontinue the attacks''. Biography: Symons, who was a part-time soldier and salesman before the war, was born near Bendigo, Victoria, on 12 July 1889. He was posted to Gallipoli as a senior non-commissioned officer. The day after landing at Gallipoli on April 25 he was commissioned second lieutenant. He returned to Australia in March 1916, and honoured with civic receptions, before returning to France a few months later as a company commander with the 37th Battalion. He was wounded in early 1917 and again in June when he was badly gassed. He recovered to be part of the action when Australian forces moved to the Somme and stopped the German advance. After the war, he married in the UK and left with his new wife the next day to live in Australia for several years before returning to Britain where he had a successful engineering career. He commanded a Home Guard battalion in World War II and died on 24 June 1948, survived by his wife and three daughters. His widow later sold his VC at auction to a medal dealer. The RSL then raised the funds to buy the medal and donate it to the Australian War Memorial.
Lieutenant Edgar Thomas Towner Lieutenant Edgar Thomas Towner Unit: 2nd Machine-gun Battalion, 2nd Division Action: 1 September 1918, Mont St Quentin, north of Peronne, France Towner, 28, was part of the push towards Mont St Quentin that was held up by tough resistance at Feuillaucourt. Towner captured an enemy machine-gun and used it, along with the two machine-guns his men commanded, to great effect on the enemy. He cut off a group of 25 Germans. The citation says: ``By fearless reconnaissance under heavy fire, and by the energy, foresight, and promptitude with which he brought fire to bear on various enemy groups, he gave valuable support to the infantry advance. Again, when short of ammunition, he secured an enemy machine-gun, which he mounted and fired in full view of the enemy, causing the enemy to retire further, and enabling our infantry to advance. Under intense fire, although wounded, he maintained the fire of this gun at a very critical period. During the following night he steadied and gave valuable support to a small detached post, and by his coolness and cheerfulness inspirited the men in a great degree. Throughout the night he kept close watch by personal reconnaissance on the enemy movement, and was evacuated exhausted 30 hours after being wounded.'' Biography: Towner was a Queensland bushie with a passion for the land. Born at Glencoe Station near Blackall on 19 April 1890, he worked on the family property until enlisting on 4 January 1915. He was promoted to second lieutenant on 18 November 1916. He was mentioned in dispatches in March 1917 and March 1918 and awarded the Military Cross for using a captured gun, at great risk to himself, to assist infantry near Morlancourt in June 1918. After the war, he returned to Queensland and became a director of the Rursleigh Pastoral Company. He served with the CMF in World War II before retiring in 1942. He was a fellow of the Royal Geographical Society of Australia and received the Dr Thomson Foundation Gold Medal in 1956 for his geographical work. He died unmarried on 18 August 1972 and is buried in Longreach Cemetery.
Lieutenant Frederick Harold Tubb Lieutenant Frederick Harold Tubb Unit: 7th Battalion, 2nd Brigade, 1st Division Action: 9 August 1915, Lone Pine trenches, Gallipoli Peninsula, Turkey When Lieutenant Symons left Goldenstedt's Post to recapture Jacob's Trench, Captain Frederick Harold Tubb, 33, was put in charge of the post, and ordered to defend it with a group of men including two corporals from the 7th Battalion, Alexander Burton, 22, and William Dunstan, 20. This is the only occasion when three Australians, fighting side-by-side, all were awarded the Victoria Cross. Burton, who died in the action, was the first Australian soldier to receive the award posthumously. Australia's official war historian C.E.W. Bean describes the action: ``Tubb had at that position 10 men, eight of whom were on the parapet, while two corporals, Webb and Wright, were told to remain on the floor of the trench in order to catch and throw back the enemy's bombs, or else to smother their explosion by throwing over them Turkish overcoats which were lying about the trenches. ``A few of the enemy, shouting `Allah!', had in the first rush scrambled into the Australian trench, but had been shot or bayoneted.'' ``Tubb and his men now fired at them over the parapet, shooting all who came up Goldenstendt's Trench or who attempted to creep over the open ... ``But one by one the men who were catching bombs were mutilated. Wright clutched at one which burst in his face and killed him. Webb, an orphan from Essendon, continued to catch them, but presently both his hands were blown away and, after walking out of the Pine, he died at Brown's Dip. ``At one moment several bombs burst simultaneously in Tubb's recess. Four men in it were killed or wounded; a fifth was blown down and his rifle shattered. Tubb, bleeding from bomb wounds in arm and scalp, continued to fight, supported in the end only by a Ballarat recruit, Corporal Dunstan, and a personal friend of his own, Corporal Burton of Euroa. ``At this stage there occurred at the barricade a violent explosion, which threw back the defenders and tumbled down the sandbags ... Dunstan and Burton were helping to rebuild the barrier when a bomb went off between them, killing Burton and temporarily blinding his comrade. Tubb obtained further men from the next post, Tubb's Corner; but the enemy's attack weakened ...'' Biography: Before becoming a soldier, Tubb was a Victorian farmer who was a keen member of the local gun club, tennis club and the Mechanics' Institute. Born at Longwood, Victoria on 28 November 1881, he was educated locally and joined first the Victorian Mounted Rifles and then an infantry regiment before the war, enlisting in the AIF in August 1914. Three days before Lone Pine he was promoted to Captain (although his citation for the VC incorrectly identified him as lieutenant). He returned briefly to Australia in 1916 before being sent to Belgium where he was seriously wounded on 20 September 1917 by Australian artillery after leading his company in the capture of nine pillboxes. He died that evening and is buried at Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery, Belgium.
Major Blair Anderson Wark Major Blair Anderson Wark Unit: 32nd Battalion, 8th Brigade, 5th Division Action: 29 September - 1 October 1918, Bellicourt to Joncourt, France Wark was a 24-year-old major in command of the 32nd Battalion in the main assault on the Hindenburg Line. The citation says: ``Moving fearlessly at the head of, and at times far in advance of, his troops, he cheered his men on through Nauroy, thence towards Etricourt. Still leading his assaulting companies, he observed a battery of 77mm guns firing on his rear companies, and causing heavy casualties. Collecting a few of his men, he rushed the battery, capturing four guns and then some of the crew. Then moving rapidly forward, with only two non-commissioned officers, he surprised and captured 50 Germans near Magny La Fosse. On October 1, 1918, he again showed fearless leading and gallantry in attack, and without hesitation; and regardless of personal risk, dashed forward and silenced machine-guns which were causing heavy casualties.'' Biography: Wark, while studying quantity surveying, enrolled in the cadets in 1911 and then switched to the 18th North Sydney Infantry and was on full-time duty when war was declared. Born in Bathurst on 27 July 1894, he enlisted in the AIF on 5 August 1915 and was posted to the 30th Battalion as a lieutenant. By the time he reached France in June 1916, he had been promoted captain. He was wounded at Fromelles in July 1916 and was awarded the Distinguished Service Order for his action at Polygon Wood in September 1917. He led the battalion from March 1918 until the end of the war. He married in London in May 1919 and returned to Sydney where he worked as a quantity surveyor. He served as a director of the Royal North Shore Hospital, life governor of the NSW Benevolent Society, a councillor of the NRMA and a Hawkesbury Race Club committee member. He divorced his first wife in 1922 and remarried five years later, with the couple having one son and two daughters. He served again in World War II, and was promoted to lieutenant colonel to command the 1st Battalion. He died at Puckapunyal Camp, Victoria, on 13 June 1941 of angina pectoris after taking part in a night exercise. His ashes are interred at Woronora Cemetery, Sydney, and is commemorated with a plaque at the NSW Garden of Remembrance, Rookwood Cemetery.
Temporary Corporal Lawrence Carthage Weathers Temporary Corporal Lawrence Carthage Weathers Unit: 43rd Battalion, 11th Brigade, 3rd Division Action: 2 September 1918, north of Peronne, France A stalemate formed when the 43rd Battalion pinned down more than 150 Germans in a fork of the trenches. Weathers, 28, broke the deadlock. The citation says: ``Weathers went forward alone, under heavy fire, and attacked the enemy with bombs. Then, returning to our lines for a further supply of bombs, he again went forward with three comrades, and attacked under very heavy fire. Regardless of personal danger, he mounted the enemy parapet and bombed the trench, and, with the support of his comrades, captured 180 prisoners and thee machine-guns. His valour and determination resulted in the successful capture of the final objective, and saved the lives of many of his comrades.'' Biography: Before the war, Weathers was living with his wife in Adelaide and working as an undertaker. He was born in Te Koparu, New Zealand on 14 May 1890 and migrated with his family aged seven. He enlisted on 3 February 1916 and, a few weeks later was hospitalised for a month for a medical condition. He was shot in the leg in June 1917 while fighting at Messines and did not rejoin his unit for six months. He was gassed in May 1918 and, less than a month after his VC action, killed on the Beaurevoir line by an artillery shell burst. He is buried at Unicorn Cemetery, Vendhuille, France, survived by his widow and son. His brother, Thomas, had enlisted in the Light Horse and died at Gallipoli.
Sergeant John Woods Whittle Sergeant John Woods Whittle Unit: 12th Battalion, 3rd Brigade, 1st Division Action: 8 April and 15 April 1917, west of Boursies and Lagnicourt, France As Captain Newland led his troops towards Boursies, Whittle, 34, was in charge of the platoon on the left. The citation says: ``When in command of a platoon, the enemy, under cover of an intense artillery barrage, attacked the small trench he was holding. Owing to weight of numbers the enemy succeeded in entering the trench, and it was owing to Sergeant Whittle personally collecting all available men and charging the enemy that the position was regained. ``On a second occasion when the enemy broke through the left of our line, Sergeant Whittle's own splendid example was the means of keeping the men well in hand. His platoon were suffering heavy casualties, and the enemy endeavoured to bring up a machine-gun to enfilade the position. Grasping the situation he rushed alone across the fire-swept ground and attacked the hostile gun crew with bombs before the gun could be got into action. ``He succeeded in killing the whole gun crew and in bringing back the machine-gun to our position.'' Biography: Whittle spent nearly 20 years of his life in service. Born on Huon Island on 3 August 1882, he served in the Boer War with the Fourth Tasmanian Contingent. Returning to Australia, he served in the Royal Navy as a stoker for five years before returning to the army. He enlisted in the AIF on 6 August 1915. He was wounded twice during the war and awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal for his gallantry at Bark Trench, where Newland was wounded on 27 February 1917. After the war, he moved to Sydney where he worked for an insurance company. He was awarded a bravery certificate from the Royal Life Saving Society for rescuing a three-year-old boy from drowning in 1934. He died on 2 March 1946 and is buried at the Catholic Cemetery, Rookwood, survived by his wife , a son and three daughters -- a second son was killed while serving in New Guinea in World War II.
