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War Memorial
Australia

Percival Thomas ROBERTS

Distinguished Service Order,

Croix de Guerre (France) &

Mentioned in Despatches.

Recommendations for the following Honours & Awards:-

Distinguished Service Order                                                             At Polygon Wood – September 26/28th, 1917

'For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He took command of his battalion in an attack when his commanding officer became a casualty. As soon as the objective was reached he personally reconnoitred the whole front, laid out the line of defence, and saw that communication was well established with both flanks. During the four days in the line he displayed great qualities of leadership and organization, and set a most inspiring example to all ranks under his command.'

Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 137 Date: 30 August 1918 on page 1777 at position 7

Croix de Guerre (France)

From French Translation –

‘He excelled at the head of his battalion at the defence of Amiens, on April 17, 1919, although he was suffering from poison gas, before losing part of his staff and of his company, continued his efforts in heroic resistance without flinching until the moment of recovery'. 

AIF Recommendation – ‘For gallantry and devotion to duty in the face of the enemy near VILLERS BRETONNEAUX for period 4th. April 1918 to 31st May, 1918. On 17th. April his Battalion suffered heavily under an enemy gas bombardment during which most of the Battalion Staff became casualties. Major ROBERTS, although suffering severely from the effects of gas, took charge of the Battalion, made all the dispositions to meet an expected attack, and carried on till the Battalion was relieved. His conduct throughout the trying times of April was of the highest order.'

Recommendation made Sept 17, 1918 Brig- General J B Stewart, 14th Infantry Brigade.

Mentioned In Despatches : 

He has shown continued devotion to duty throughout the whole time the Brigade has been in the Somme area, during which he has commanded his company most efficiently, often under most trying conditions.This Officer has been particularly zealous and has never spared himself in or out of the trenches in doing all that could be done for the welfare of his command. This officer was in GALLIPOLI for some months and was present at the evacuation.

Recommendation O.M Crosshaw Lt- Colonel

Commanding 53rd Battalion A.I.F.

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The Bendigo Advertiser dedicated extensive coverage on Captain P. Roberts in February 1918: -

CONGRATULATED BY GENERAL BIRDWOOD.

‘One of the many young Australians possessing ability, courage, aspiration, and all the other attributes which go to make a

thorough soldier is Captain Percy T. Roberts, D.S.O son of Mr. and Mrs. J. Roberts of "Netherby," Bannerman street, Bendigo. "Leaving the good position as accountant; to the firm of Messrs. Tatchell, Dunlop, Smalley and Balmer solicitors, of this city, young Roberts entered camp early in 1915. Applying the thoroughness, which accounted for his success in civil life, to his military work, he quickly gained a proficient knowledge of soldiering, and before he sailed for the front on 8th May, 1915, he had secured his commission. For several months he participated in the campaign at Gallipoli, during which time he proved an able officer, and thoroughly justified his promotion. Upon the evacuation of the peninsula, he proceeded with the other Anzacs to France, where he has continued to make good. With such ability and bravery has his carried out his duties that he has been promoted to captain, awarded the Distinguished Service Order, and mentioned in despatches by Sir Douglas Haig for conspicuous services.

Proof of the splendid services rendered by Captain Roberts is contained in the following letter, which the young officer has received from General Sir W. R. Birdwood, and which he has forwarded to his mother:

1st Anzac Corps, B.E.F., France, 3rd November 1917.

Dear Roberts,—I am indeed pleased to be able to congratulate you, as I do most heartily, upon the award "to you of the D.S.O in recognition of your very fine work during the operations near Polygon Wood from 26th to 28th September. I know that before you had reached your objective, your C.O. became a casualty, when you at once assumed command of the battalion. Your work in reconnoitring the whole front and laying out and consolidating the line of defence was of a very high order, and during your whole period in the line your leadership and organisation greatly contributed to the complete success of the operation. "With kind regards, and many thanks for all your good service." The same article went on …

‘In a letter to his mother recently, Captain Roberts, who was then on leave in Scotland. stated:—"Cupar, Fife, Scotland,

7.12.17,—I was at Buckingham Palace on Wednesday, and was presented with my medal by the King. I shall try and explain what it is like. It consists of a gold cross, enamelled white, edge gold, having on one side in the centre, within a wreath of laurels enamelled green, the Imperial Crown in gold upon a red enamelled ground, and on the reverse, a similar wreath on a similar red ground, the Royal cypher, G.R.V., and is attached to a red ribbon, and edged blue.'[1]

SERVICE DETAILS: 

Place of birth: Box Hill Victoria

Religion: Methodist

Occupation: Accountant

Address: 308 View Street, Bendigo

Marital status: Single

Age at enlistment:  23

Next of kin: Mother, Mrs Nellie Roberts, Wright Street, Bendigo

Enlistment date: 24 April 1915

 Unit name: 22nd Battalion & 53rd Battalion

Embarked on board: HMAT A38 Ulysses on 10 May 1915

Final Rank: Major

Fate: Returned to Australia 2 June 1919

Award: Mention in despatches

Commonwealth of Australia Gazette                  4 October 1917 on page 2624 at position 152

At Polygon Wood – September 26/28th, 1917

The battle of Polygon Wood was the I ANZAC component of a larger British and dominion operation staged as part of the third battle of Ypres. This operation was the second of the "Plumer battles", a series of well-planned, limited advances supported by large volumes of artillery, masterminded by the British general Herbert Plumer. The name "Polygon Wood" derived from a young plantation forest that lay along I ANZAC's axis of advance. The battle cost 5,770 Australian casualties.[2]

VILLERS BRETONNEAUX for period 4th. April 1918 to 31st May, 1918.

Refers to the German Spring Offensive in 1918 which was repelled by AIF forces to save the crucial railway city of Amiens in Northern France. The AIF 13th and 15th Infantry Brigades eventually recaptured the Villers Bretonneaux on Anzac Day April 25, after the British fifth army had earlier retreated under the German assault.

 [1] The Bendigo Advertiser, Thu 7 Feb 1918  Page 4

[2] AWM website - https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/E84337