The AIF Project

'For conspicuous gallantry during the attack on PERONNE on 1st September 1918. During the early stages of the attack an Enemy 77.mm. gun was captured with a large supply of ammunition. He helped another man to work this gun having first ascertained how to detonate the shells, and fire the gun, despite the fact that the enemy immediately opened up with heavy artillery and machine gun fire directed against them, and despite the fact that owing to their being no method of cleaning the gun there was great danger of the barrel bursting. The fire from this gun was brought to bear on a quarry on the left flank of the Battalion, where the enemy were assembling, apparently with a view to a counter attack, and such heavy casualties were caused that they were forced to disperse. The action of this man contributed largely to the success of the operation as the Left Flank of the Battalion at that time was in a very exposed position, and if a counter attack had been launched there would have been grave risk of the Battalion being cut off.'
Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 115
Date: 10 October 1919