The AIF Project

Recommendation date: 8 March 1918

Recommendation date: " April 1918"

'For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He was in charge of a mopping up party in an attack. Finding his party not strong enough, he demanded assistance from neighbouring troops and completed his task. Subsequently he took patrols to both flanks in turn, locating the enemy, and then guiding parties to deal with the situation. Throughout he showed an absolute disregard for danger, and rendered valuable assistance to his officers.'
Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 15
Date: 4 February 1919

'For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. During the prelimary bombardment near MORLANCOURT on 19th instant he was wounded in the face by a piece of shell. Despite this he took a party in charge. On arriving at the objective he saw one of the officers fighting in advance of the line. He ran to his assistance but the officer was severely wounded - he died later. The stretcher bearers who went forward were both shot. The sergeant carried the officer towards our lines and was himself severely wounded, and later brought in as a stretcher case.' Second entry reads: 'For gallantry and dash in a patrol encounter in "No Man's Land" at PONT ROUGE on the morning of the 8th March, 1918. It was due to the action of Privates VICKERS, MARSHALL and MADDEN, that the enemy were made to stand. Our patrol, was returning to our lines, covered by the patrol Officer and Privates [4557 R.] VICKERS, [2416 W.] MARSHALL and [2435 J.A.] MADDEN, when they noticed a German Patrol, strength about 30, enter an old sap. The Officer went off to organise the main patrol for an assault, whilst the remainder of the covering party engaged the enemy with rifle fire and bombs, which was returned. When the patrol came up, Sergeant BISHOP and Privates VICKERS, MARSHALL and MADDEN rushed the trench from a flank and routed the enemy, who cleared off in the darkness, leaving behind 1 wounded and 3 dead Germans.'
Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 120
Date: 7 August 1918