PART THREE OTHER NOMINATIONS FROM MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC
PART THREE OTHER NOMINATIONS FROM
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC
The report of the inquiry into unresolved recognition for past acts of naval and military gallantry and valour
342
CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE OTHER NOMINATIONS FROM MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC25-1 On 21 February 2011 the Parliamentary Secretary for Defence, Senator The Hon.
David Feeney directed the Tribunal to inquire into and report on ‘Unresolved Recognition for Past Acts of Naval and Military Valour’. As part of the Terms of Reference (TOR), the Tribunal was directed:
to receive submissions supporting recognition of acts of gallantry and valour performed by other members of the Defence Force [in addition to the 13 personnel named specifically listed in the TOR].1 Submissions are only to be received where supported by appropriate documentation. Submissions based on hearsay or anecdotal evidence may not be considered.
[and]
The Tribunal is to report to the Parliamentary Secretary for Defence on the detail of the additional submissions received in order for the Government to determine whether a proposal for recognition should be referred to the Tribunal for review.
25-2 Advertisements were placed in the media giving notice of the Inquiry and calling for submissions supporting recognition of acts of gallantry and valour performed by other members of the Defence Force. Submissions closed on 30 June 2011, and the Tribunal received 76 submissions related to claims concerning individuals other than those named in the TOR by this date. The Tribunal received further submissions after the closing date and these were accepted by the Tribunal. By the end of the inquiry, the Tribunal had received 174 submissions relating to claims concerning 140 individuals and groups.
25-3 All the submissions were acknowledged by the Secretariat. A list of the members of the Defence Force nominated by the public is provided at Tables 25-1 and 25-2.
25-4 In accordance with the TORs, a sub-committee, composed of the Chair of the Tribunal Mr Alan Rose and Tribunal Member Air Commodore Mark Lax (Retd), undertook a preliminary analysis of each submission to assess whether it was supported by appropriate documentation.
25-5 The outcome of this analysis was confirmed by the Tribunal.
25-6 The Chair of the Tribunal, in accordance with the TORs, has separately conveyed to the Australian Government copies of all additional submissions for recognition together with the Tribunal’s preliminary assessment of the appropriateness of supporting documents, so that the government may confirm what submissions should be received under the TORs for consideration and whether any should be referred to the Tribunal for review.
1 For the purposes of this Inquiry, the Tribunal considered that the term ‘the Defence Force’ covered the armed forces from Federation to the present day.
343Part three — Other nominations from members of the public
Table 25-1 Individuals nominated by the public for acts of gallantry and valour
Surname First Name/s Rank /Title Service Conflict
Alcorta Frank Sergeant Army Vietnam
Allen Edward Private Army Second World War
Allen Leslie Corporal Army Second World War
Allsopp Raymond Captain Army Second World War
Anderson Francis Douglas Gunner Army Second World War
Anderson Herbert Spencer Commissioned Warrant Officer
Navy Second World War
Band John Morell Lieutenant Commander
Navy Second World War
Barbouttis Angelo Corporal Army Second World War
Barker John Edward Warrant Officer Army Vietnam
Barry Brian Sergeant Air Force Second World War
Bell Alec Private Army Vietnam
Bextrum Neil Raymond Private Army Vietnam
Bloomfield Steve Lance Corporal Army Confrontation
Boston Vernon Robert Private Army Second World War
Botterill Keith Private Army Second World War
Brack James Captain Army First World War
Braithwaite Richard Sergeant Army Second World War
Brett Ron Private Army Vietnam
Brown Edward Sergeant Army Second World War
Bush George John Leading Seaman Navy First World War
Butler Rex Sergeant Army Second World War
Cahir (Carr) Frank Staff Sergeant Army Second World War
Cameron Bruce Lieutenant Army Vietnam
Campbell Ian Martin Private Army Vietnam
Campbell Owen Colin Gunner Army Second World War
Carlson Arthur Private Army First World War
Carr Henry George 2nd Lieutenant Army First World War
Chapman Graeme Major Army Vietnam
Cooper Garry G Flight Lieutenant Air Force Vietnam
Costin Keith Hamilton Private Army Second World War
Cox Arthur John Warrant Officer 1 Army First World War
Cox Barry Not specified Navy Melbourne-Voyager collision
Craig Felix Driver Army Second World War
Crease Wally Gunner Army Second World War
Curby George Alfred Lieutenant Army Second World War
Curran Andrew Naval Air Mechanic Navy Vietnam
Davis, DSO, MC Clayton Edginton Lieutenant Army Second World War
The report of the inquiry into unresolved recognition for past acts of naval and military gallantry and valour
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Surname First Name/s Rank /Title Service Conflict
Davison Walter Private Army Vietnam
Dawson(aka Molde
Leigh KeithKenneth Clifton)
Corporal Army Second World War
Derrick, VC, DCM
Tom Lieutenant Army Second World War
Douglas James Flight Lieutenant Air Force Second World War
Edgar William Henry Warrant Officer Navy First World War
Emmett Edward Victor Corporal Army Second World War
Evans Walter Cyril Private Army Second World War
Fairey Bill Corporal Army Second World War
Ferrier Sutton Corporal Army First World War
Fisher Cyril Raymond Private Army Second World War
Fitzgibbon Nigel Corporal Army Confrontation
Fletcher John Private Army Second World War
Forrester Charlie Private Army Second World War
Forsdike Andrew Lance Bombardier Army Vietnam
Foster Charles Thomas Private Army Second World War
Fuller Eric John Gunner Army Second World War
Gilbert James Father Army First World War
Gilchrist, DSM Anthony Captain Army Iraq
Giles Harold Boyer Lance Corporal Army Second World War
Grimes Noel John Private Army Vietnam
Hakewill Arthur Flying Officer Air Force Second World War
Haly Standish Private Army Second World War
Harnett Edward Brigadier General Army First World War
Harrington Tom Private Army Second World War
Harrison William Warrant Officer 1 Army Second World War
Havelock Lees John Stanley 2nd Lieutenant Army First World War
Henstridge Hector David Lieutenant Army Second World War
Hill George Albert Sergeant Army First World War
Hinchey Adrian Corporal Army Vietnam
Humphreys Kevin Lieutenant Colonel Army Afghanistan
Hutchinson Douglas Flight Lieutenant Air Force Second World War
Jacka, VC, MC and Bar
Albert Captain Army First World War
Kear Edmund John Private Army First World War
Kelly Andrew Warrant Officer 2 Army Vietnam
Kempsey P.J. Petty Officer Navy First World War
Kirby Jack Warrant Officer 2 Army Vietnam
Table 25-1 Individuals nominated by the public for acts of gallantry and valour (continued)
345Part three — Other nominations from members of the public
Surname First Name/s Rank /Title Service Conflict
Knight Leslie Gordon Flight Lieutenant Air Force Second World War
Kyle Robert Sub Lieutenant Navy Vietnam
Ledwidge Francis Private Army Second World War
MacRobert Ian Lieutenant Navy Second World War
Magnussen Barry Eugene Lance Corporal Army Vietnam
Mancer Mervyn Leading Cook Navy Melbourne-Voyager collision
Margetts Ivor Captain Army First World War
Marrows Dudley Flight Lieutenant Air Force Second World War
May Allen James Private Army Vietnam
McCallum, DCM
Charles Corporal Army Second World War
McColl Neil Richard Petty Officer Navy Second World War
McCourt James Private Army Second World War
McGrath Edward Father Army First World War
Meek Bradley John Leading Seaman Navy Westralia Fire
Mitchell R.J. Able Seaman Navy First World War
Moloney Mark Lieutenant Army Vietnam
Moore William Richard Corporal Army Vietnam
Morris Thomas Trooper NSW Lancers
Boer War
Moxham William Bombardier Army Second World War
Murray Richard Private Army Second World War
Parker Harold James Sapper Army Second World War
Payne Henry Godsell Flying Officer Air Force Second World War
Penn Arthur Sergeant Army Vietnam
Perrott Michael Sub Lieutenant Navy Vietnam
Perry Andrew C Sub Lieutenant Navy Vietnam
Peters Geoffrey Michael Private Army Vietnam
Pockley Brian Captain Army First World War
Porter Maurice Wilfred Staff Sergeant Army Second World War
Price Owen Squadron Leader Air Force Second World War
Radnedge Gordon Private Army Second World War
Rae Allen Corporal Army Vietnam
Reid Ian Aubrey Private Army Vietnam
Reither Herman Driver Army Second World War
Roberts Francis Adrian Lieutenant Army Vietnam
Robertson Rodney Gunner Army Vietnam
Roche William Alfred Private Army Vietnam
Table 25-1 Individuals nominated by the public for acts of gallantry and valour (continued)
The report of the inquiry into unresolved recognition for past acts of naval and military gallantry and valour
346
Surname First Name/s Rank /Title Service Conflict
Rodger Michael G Major Army Vietnam
Rodsted James Captain Army First World War
Rowland Ronald Private Army Second World War
Sharp Gordon 2nd Lieutenant Army Vietnam
Shelley Jeff Private Army Second World War
Short Nelson Alfred Private Army Second World War
Sides Fred Pilot Officer Air Force Second World War
Siffleet Leonard George Sergeant Army Second World War
Simpson Henry John Corporal Army Second World War
Skinner Edward Kenneth Private Army Second World War
Smith Alfred Greig Captain Army Second World War
Sticpewich William Hector Warrant Officer 1 Army Second World War
Stratford Joseph Henry Corporal Army First World War
Street Andrew John Sergeant Army Iraq
Terry Lionel Private Army Korea
Treseder Harry Private Army Second World War
Urquhart Charlie Private Army Second World War
Wagner Charles Lieutenant Army Second World War
Waygood James D’arcy Private Army Second World War
Webber Sidney Arthur Private Army Second World War
Wertheimer Arnold Talbot Lieutenant Army First World War
White John Captain Army Vietnam
Willan Geoffrey Lieutenant Army First World War
Wilmott Alexander John Private Army Second World War
Young, MM Henry Private Army First World War
Table 25-2 Groups nominated by the public for acts of gallantry and valour
Company/Battalion/Squadron/etc Service Conflict
Catalina A24-20 Air Force Second World War
2/11th Infantry Battalion Battle of Crete Army Second World War
C Company 7th Battalion Royal Australian Regiment Army Vietnam
Battle of Fire Support Base Coral Army Vietnam
102 Field Battery — Battle of Fire Support Base Coral Army Vietnam
RAN Helicopter Flight Vietnam Navy Vietnam
Table 25-1 Individuals nominated by the public for acts of gallantry and valour (continued)
Letter of transmittalTerms of ReferenceExecutive summaryChapter OneIntroductionPart One General considerationsChapter TwoImperial and Australian honours systemsChapter ThreeConstitutional issues and Australian sovereigntyChapter FourThe Imperial honours systemChapter FiveThe Australian honours and awards systemChapter SixEnd of war lists and reviewsChapter SevenRetrospectivity, revision and belated awardsChapter EightTribunal considerationChapter NineSummary of individual casesChapter TenConclusions and recommendations
Part Two Individual casesChapter ElevenGunner Albert Neil (Neale) ClearyChapter TwelveMidshipman Robert Ian DaviesChapter ThirteenLeading Cook (Officers) Francis Bassett EmmsChapter FourteenLieutenant David John HamerChapter FifteenPrivate John Simpson KirkpatrickChapter SixteenAble Seaman Dalmorton Joseph Owendale RuddChapter SeventeenOrdinary Seaman Edward SheeanChapter EighteenLeading Aircrewman Noel Ervin ShippChapter NineteenLieutenant Commander Henry Hugh Gordon Dacre StokerChapter TwentyCaptain Hector Macdonald Laws WallerChapter Twenty-OneHMAS Yarra Chapter Twenty–TwoLieutenant Commander Robert William RankinChapter Twenty‑ThreeLieutenant Commander Francis Edward SmithChapter Twenty‑FourActing Leading Seaman Ronald Taylor
Part ThreeOther nominations from members of the publicChapter Twenty-FiveOther nominations from members of the public
Abbreviations and acronymsAppendixesAppendix 1Individuals and organisations who provided submissions to the InquiryAppendix 2Tribunal hearing dates and witnessesAppendix 3List of persons from whom information was soughtAppendix 4Additional material examined by the TribunalAppendix 5Establishment of Australian honours and awards — Key datesAppendix 6Valour, gallantry and distinguished service criteriaAppendix 7Imperial gallantry awards to Australian forcesAppendix 8Honours by service per number who servedAppendix 9 Australian Victoria Cross awardsAppendix 10Statement of Ordinary Seaman Jack Archibald
IndexTablesTable 4-1Imperial gallantry awardsTable 4-2Operational scale applied to service in VietnamTable 5-1Imperial and Australian gallantry awards Table 7-1‘Retrospective’ awards of the Imperial Victoria CrossTable 8-1Victoria Cross Awards made to the Royal NavyTable 8-2Recent Imperial Victoria Cross sales in AustraliaTable 16-1Australians who took part in the Zeebrugge raidTable 16-2Honours awarded to Australians who took part in the Zeebrugge raidTable 17-1The fate of those onboard HMAS Armidale Table 17-2Witness statements — HMAS Armidale Table 18-1Operational scale applied to service in VietnamTable 18-2Comparison of the RANHFV with other RAN awardsTable 18-3Comparison of awards to the RANHFV versus the RAAF No. 9 SquadronTable 25-1Individuals nominated by the public for acts of gallantry and valourTable 25-2Groups nominated by the public for acts of gallantry and valourTable A6‑1First level of gallantry and distinguished service awardsTable A6‑2Second level of gallantry and distinguished service awardsTable A6‑3Third level of gallantry and distinguished service awardsTable A6‑4Fourth level of gallantry and distinguished service awardsTable A7‑1Imperial awards to Australian forcesTable A7‑2Imperial gallantry awards to Australian Forces — awards made for actions during conflictTable A7‑2AImperial gallantry awards to Australian Forces — Australian ArmyTable A7‑2BImperial gallantry awards to Australian Forces — Royal Australian NavyTable A7‑2CImperial gallantry awards to Australian Forces — Royal Australian Air ForceTable A7‑3Imperial gallantry awards to Australian Forces by ServiceTable A7‑3AImperial gallantry awards to Australian Forces — Boer WarTable A7‑3BImperial gallantry awards to Australian Forces — First World WarTable A7‑3CImperial gallantry awards to Australian Forces — Second World WarTable A7‑3DImperial gallantry awards to Australian Forces — Korean WarTable A7‑3EImperial gallantry awards to Australian Forces — Malayan EmergencyTable A7‑3FImperial gallantry awards to Australian Forces — ConfrontationTable A7‑3GImperial gallantry awards to Australian Forces — Vietnam WarTable A7‑4Imperial awards to Australian forces by ServiceTable A7‑5Imperial awards to Australian forces made for actions during conflictTable A7‑6‘Posthumous’ imperial gallantry awards to Australian forces by Servicea Table A7‑7‘Posthumous’ Imperial gallantry awards to Australian forces made for actions during conflicta Table A8-1Honours by service per number who servedTable A9‑1Imperial VC — Boer War (5 awards)Table A9‑2Imperial VC — First World War (63 awards)Table A9‑3Imperial VC — Second World War (19 awards)Table A9‑4Imperial VC — Vietnam War (4 awards)Table A9‑5Imperial VC to Australians serving in British Units — Boer War (1 award)Table A9‑6Imperial VC to Australians serving in British Units — First World War (1 award)Table A9‑7Imperial VC to Australians serving in British Units — Russian Civil War (2 awards)Table A9‑8Imperial VC to Australians serving in British Units — Second World War (1 award)Table A9‑9Australians awarded the Victoria Cross for Australia (3 awards)