MCMAHON, Sylvester Luke
| Service Number: | 2698 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | Not yet discovered |
| Last Rank: | Private |
| Last Unit: | 55th Infantry Battalion |
| Born: | Crookwell, New South Wales, Australia, 19 September 1896 |
| Home Town: | Binda, Upper Lachlan Shire, New South Wales |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Labourer |
| Died: | Australia, 26 September 1952, aged 56 years, cause of death not yet discovered |
| Cemetery: |
Binda Cemetery, Upper Lachlan Shire - New South Wales |
| Memorials: | Crookwell War Memorial |
World War 1 Service
| 7 Oct 1916: | Involvement Private, 2698, 55th Infantry Battalion, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '19' embarkation_place: Sydney embarkation_ship: HMAT Ceramic embarkation_ship_number: A40 public_note: '' | |
|---|---|---|
| 7 Oct 1916: | Embarked Private, 2698, 55th Infantry Battalion, HMAT Ceramic, Sydney | |
| 13 Oct 1918: | Honoured Military Medal, For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty during the attack on Saint Denis Wood, near Peronne, in France on September 12th, 1918 |
Help us honour Sylvester Luke McMahon's service by contributing information, stories, and images so that they can be preserved for future generations.
Add my storyBiography contributed by Michelle Leihn
2698, Lance Corporal Sylvester Luke McMahon - M M
Awarded Military Medal on October 13th 1918.
For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty during the attack on Saint Denis Wood, near Peronne, in France, on September 2nd, 1918.
During an attempt to advance our flank beyond St Denis Wood, heavy machine gun fire was encountered. This man, by his intiative and quick judgement, brought his Lewis gun into action disregarding all personal safety and engaged two enemy machine guns which he silenced, and thereby enabled the flank to go forward and capture an enemy post of one officer, nine other ranks and two machine guns. When it became necessary for the party to withdraw slightly to a stronger position, this man covered the move until the flanks were in position, he himself being exposed to heavy machine gun fire. Notwithstanding that one of his Lewis gun team was badly wounded, he succeeded in bringing the gun and wounded man back to our line. His courage and coolness throughout the whole operation was very noticeable, and he assisted greatly in the success of the attack. Recommended by Lieut Colonel P Woods - General Officer commanding 55th Battalion, 14th Infantry Brigade, 5th Australian Division.
Parents: John & Annie McMahon - Binda, Via Crookwell, NSW
BIO: Dist Cousin Michelle
Click images to start slideshow.