Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Distinguished Conduct Medal

'For conspicuous gallantry during operations. He guided a party through heavy fire to a trench mortar position, and finally brought the mortar into action under almost continuous fire.'
Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 62
Date: 19 April 1917

PRESENTATION OF D.C.M.
Before addressing the meeting on Monday Sir John Forrest presented a Distinguished Conduct Medal to Sergeant G. C. J. Russell-Davison,
Trench Mortar Battery, a returned Boldier now residing in Wagin. The
medal was awarded for conspicuous gallantry in the field, Sergeant
Davison having guided a party through heavy fire to a trench mortar
position, and finally brought it into action under almost continuous fire. Sir John, in presenting the medal, said it was a token that the Sergeant bad done his duty and iu future was hall-marked as a brave man, and there was no greater satisfaction to any man than to know all his life that in the hour of danger he was equal to the occasion. (Great applause.)
Sergeant Davison, in returning thanks, said all those with him were
equally entitled to the honor, and among them was one of Sir John
Forrest's nephews, his brother Alec's son. He had been given an order and carried it out. He was heartily in accord with Sir John's mission that night, and if he had a thousand votes he would give them for that purpose, because he knew reinforcements were needed. On the Ypres front they had for seven weeks been up to their middle in water because there was no one to relieve them.
At the conclusion of the Sergeant's reply the audience rose and gave
three cheers in his honor and one for his wife.

D.C.M. Winner Passes
LATE SGT. G. C. J. RUSSELL-DAVISON
Norseman, Feb. 27.— Flags were flown at half-mast in Norseman
today in honour of the late George Cleuland John Russell Davison, D.C.M., who was accidentally killed by a goods train last night, and whose remains were interred in the Norseman
Cemetery today. 
The deceased enlisted at Laverton in 1915 and served with a heavy trench mortar battery in France. He was awarded the D.C.M. on April 28, 1917, for 'having, while under heavy enemy fire, placed his gun in position whereby he saved a situation.' A large crowd of old comrades assembled at the cemetery, where the first portion of the service was conducted by the Rev. Tom Wright. This was followed by an R.A.O.B. service, conducted by K.O.M. Kennedy. Then the gathering was addressed by Mr. Bob Smith, vice-president of the
Norseman Sub-Branch., of the R.S.L. (acting for the president, Mr. Harris, who was absent on duty). Mr. Smith reminded those present how easy it was to forget old herojs, and urged all old and young ex-servicemen to stick together. The Last Post was sounded by Bugler J. Morton, followed by two minutes' silence, and then the Reveille.
The pall-bearers were Messrs. J. Smith (Norseman Sub-Branch R.S.L.) , 'Brickie' Butler, 'Digger' Thomas, Alec Parker, 'Ganger' Clarke, and Charlie Williams. The late Sergeant Russell-Davison spent most of his late years on the goldfields and was held
in universal esteem, being af fectionately known as 'Old George.'

Kalgoorlie Miner Friday 02 March 1945 pge 4