'These men [4603 T.A. Donohoe, 6929 P.J. Gwynn, and McGuirk] were three of a party of 1 N.C.O. and 5 men who attacked and captured, without artillery support, a very strong position on the flank of the battalion during the advance on RAINECOURT, east of AMIENS, on 9th August 1918. The position was very strongly protected by earthworks and wire and 3 machine guns and an anti-tank gun were firing from it in direct enfilade. No other troops were within 300 yards of this small party but they advanced without hesitation. They go within bombing range and then rushed the position. Two machine guns, one Lewis gun, the anti-tank gun and a garrison of 1 Officer, 4 N.C.O.s and 25 men captured by them.'
Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 109
Date: 15 September 1919

Regimental number	4282
Place of birth	Binda, New South Wales
Religion	Church of England
Occupation	Blacksmith
Address	Colchester Hall, Woodcourt Street, Marrickville, New South Wales
Marital status	Married
Age at embarkation	22
Next of kin	Wife, Mrs G McGuirk, Como, Carlton Crescent, Summer Hill, New South Wales
Enlistment date	3 February 1916
Date of enlistment from Nominal Roll	5 May 1915
Rank on enlistment	Private
Unit name	18th Battalion, 10th Reinforcement
AWM Embarkation Roll number	23/35/2
Embarkation details	Unit embarked from Sydney, New South Wales, on board HMAT A15 Star Of England on 8 March 1916
Rank from Nominal Roll	Lance Corporal
Unit from Nominal Roll	18th Battalion
Recommendations (Medals and Awards)	Military Medal Recommendation date: 14 August 1918
Fate	Returned to Australia 13 April 1919
Medals	Military Medal 'These men [4603 T.A. Donohoe, 6929 P.J. Gwynn, and McGuirk] were three of a party of 1 N.C.O. and 5 men who attacked and captured, without artillery support, a very strong position on the flank of the battalion during the advance on RAINECOURT, east of AMIENS, on 9th August 1918. The position was very strongly protected by earthworks and wire and 3 machine guns and an anti-tank gun were firing from it in direct enfilade. No other troops were within 300 yards of this small party but they advanced without hesitation. They go within bombing range and then rushed the position. Two machine guns, one Lewis gun, the anti-tank gun and a garrison of 1 Officer, 4 N.C.O.s and 25 men captured by them.' Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 109 Date: 15 September 1919
Family/military connections	Brothers: 5738 Pte Jack McGUIRK, 1st Bn, died of wounds, 30 June 1918; 911 Pte Thomas Alexander McGUIRK, 3rd Bn, died of wounds, 28 April 1915; Cousin: 7099 Pte John Michael Joseph WILLS, 13th Bn, killed in action, 8 August 1918.
Other details	War service: Western Front Medals: Military Medal, British War Medal, Victory Medal

Alexander McGUIRK