Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Distinguished Conduct Medal

'For conspicuous gallantry and resource near Lihons, 11 August, 1918. This man rushed an enemy machine gun post, and bayoneted the crew of two. Later, he successfully led a party of four against another machine gun post, which was holding up the advance.'
Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 35
Date: 15 April 1920

Hugo Johann (John) Wegener was born in Palmer, South Australia on July 18, 1897. His parents were Mrs Johanne Louise Wegener (maiden name Lindner) and Mr Johann Heinrich Wegener. The two of them were of Prussian ancestry.

Wegener was the only male out of five children. He had two younger and two older sisters. His religion was Methodism. He worked as a Baker.

Wegener enlisted for the war on 16 June 1915 at Keswick, South Australia. He was 18 years and 2 months old at the time of enlistment and was assigned to the 12th Infantry Battalion, 10th Reinforcement. His service number was 3031 and his rank was private. At the time of enlistment, Wegener’s marital status was single. As stated on his enlistment papers, his next of kin was his mother.

Wegener embarked from Adelaide, South Australia on September 14, 1915. He was aboard the HMAT A70 Ballarat bound for Sarpi Camp located on the Greek island, Lemnos. The ship arrived on December 4th, 1915.

 Wegener was transported to Alexandria and arrived on January 6, 1916. On February 13, 1916, he was admitted to a hospital in Serapeum, Egypt due to influenza. Once recovered, he rejoined his battalion on February 14. However, he was admitted to the Australian General Hospital in Heliopolis, Egypt only three days later for a case of mild ingrown toenails. On February 18, Wegener was transported to the 4th Auxiliary Hospital in Abbassia located in Cairo, Egypt. This was due to him contracting the mumps virus in the field. He was discharged on February 19 and rejoined his battalion at Serapeum.

On March 29, Wegener disembarked from Alexandria, Egypt to join the British Expeditionary Force. He arrived at Marseilles, France on April 5.  Wegener went on certified leave from France on May 2 to May 12.  Wegener was paid in France for his service on May 15. He also went on leave to Paris again for 13 days from July 2 to July 15.

On August 11, 1918, Wegener was recommended for the Distinguished Conduct Medal “For gallantry and resourcefulness near LIHONS on 11th August 1918. Private WEGENER rushed an enemy Machine Gun post which was causing casualties to his Company, bayonetting the crew of two. He later organised and successfully led a party of four against another Machine Gun post which was holding up the advance. His coolness and utter disregard for danger inspired and set a stirring example of devotion to duty.”

During his service, Wegener’s status changed frequently due to injuries on the field which opened opportunities for promotions. He was promoted to the position of Lance Corporal on August 18. He was then promoted again to a temporary position of Corporal on September 23. Eventually, he permanently took the position due to the wounding of a Corporal Blundell, who had been hospitalised on field.

On November 16, 1918, Corporal Wegener was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal. This award was given to recognize bravery during combat.

“HIS MAJESTY THE KING has been graciously pleased to approve of the award of the Distinguished Conduct Medal to the undermentioned for gallantry and distinguished service in the field. The acts of gallantry for which the decoration has been awarded will be announced in the “London Gazette” as early as practicable.”

The segment above has been extracted from the “Commonwealth of Australia Gazette” No. 75, dated 17th June 1919. The award was also announced in the “London Gazette” No. 31186, dated 18th February 1919.

On November 18, 1918, Wegener was promoted to the role of Sergeant due to a Sergeant George who was repatriated back to Australia.

his service, Wegener returned to Australia on April 12th, 1919, from Liverpool aboard the ship Suffolk and was discharged from the Australian Imperial Force on July 25th, 1919.

 In 1920, Wegener married his wife, Myrtle Eileen Maud Byrnes. He was 23 years old at the time, with Myrtle Eileen being 21 years old. After just one year of marriage, Myrtle Eileen gave birth to a daughter named Journavive Eileen Wegener.

 At 19 years old, Journavive Eileen married Albert L. Thompson, only son of Mrs. H. Payne, of Broken Hill, and the late Mr. A. L. Thompson. Their wedding started at 4:30pm at Holy Trinity Church, North terrace on Saturday, 16th November 1940.

 In 1946, Wegener appears in the local newspaper reporting a robbery that occurred at a sleep-out adjoined to his bakery. 37 pounds was stolen from a drawer and a dressing table.

 Myrtle Eileen Wegener passed away on 1950, aged 50.

On October 2nd, 1962, Hugo John Wegener passed away due to natural causes. He died in Adelaide, South Australia. His grave is in Centennial Park Cemetery, Adelaide.

Bibliography

“Details.” 2025. Adfa.edu.au. 2025. https://aif.adfa.edu.au/showPerson?pid=317875.

‌

“Hugo John WEGENER DCM.” 2025. Vwma.org.au. 2025. https://vwma.org.au/explore/people/331882.

‌Terrace, Victoria. 2025. “View Digital Copy.” Naa.gov.au. 2025. https://recordsearch.naa.gov.au/SearchNRetrieve/Interface/ViewImage.aspx?B=8380166.

‌“Family Notices - the Advertiser (Adelaide, SA : 1931 - 1954) - 13 Nov 1940.” 2025. Trove. 2025. https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/41905234?searchTerm=%22H.%20J.%20Wegener%22.

‌“Hugo John Wegener” 2025. austcemindex.com. 2025. https://austcemindex.com/inscription?id=2650656

 “The Great War (1914-1918) Forum.” 2022. The Great War (1914-1918) Forum. Great War Forum. October 16, 2022. https://www.greatwarforum.org/blogs/entry/2795-hj-wegener-dcm/.

‌“Petrol Siphoned from - A.m., Yesterday Harold Leo Poole - the Advertiser (Adelaide, SA : 1931 - 1954) - 20 Feb 1946.” 2025. Trove. 2025. https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/48692415?searchTerm=hugo%20john%20wegener.