Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Cyril James Claridge McQUIE

Military Medal & Bar

Recommendation for Military Medal

'Initiative and gallantry when in temporary command of his Platoon, and powers of leadership and organisation.' (East of Ypres).

At the commencement of the attack on GLENCORSE WOOD east of YPRES on 20th September 1917, when his platoon commander was wounded, Sgt. MCQUIE immediately took charge of the platoon. Although himself twice wounded in the arm and grazed by a bullet on the head shortly afterwards, he carried on until he had collected all the scattered parts of his platoon and constructed a platoon post. He was by this time in a state of exhaustion, but would not leave his men.'

Source: Commonwealth of Australia Gazette, 2 May 1918 on page 1034 at position 12

Recommendation by Div Machine Gun M.G for Distinguished Conduct Medal, later Bar to Military Medal

For conspicuous gallantry on the 10th day of August 1918 at LIHONS. During the advance, when the left half of the Battalion was suffering severe casualties by heavy machine gun fire from a wood on the left flank, this N.C.O, acting on his own initiative and grasping the situation very quickly, led his Lewis Gun section forward through the barrage and gained the rear end of the wood and attacked the enemy Machine Gunners in the rear. His prompt action saved many lives and considerably helped the left half of the Battalion to continue the advance. Throughout the attack this N.C.O displayed great personal courage on several occasions, and was a fine example to the other N.C.O’s and men of his platoon. (which had no officers alive) – hand written

Source: Commonwealth of Australia Gazette, No.75, 17th June 1919.

The three Bendigo newspapers were frantic reporting on the war and the growing casualty toll that it extracted on the local community. When good news did emerge the papers were quick to express enthusiasm and pride.

The gossip column in the Bendigonian ‘ Our Bendigo Letter’ reported in March 1918 the following:-

‘All her friends are warmly congratulating Mrs. J. P. B. M'Quie on the splendid achievements of her eldest son, Lieutenant

Cyril M'Quie, who recently won the Military Cross, and also gained his commission on the field. It would be interesting to know exactly how many Bendigonians have won the Military Cross. I am sure the number would compare favorably with any other town of like size in the State or the Commonwealth for that matter. A goodly share of distinctions have come to Bendigo boys.[1]

The M’Quie family like many other Bendigo families had already publicly shared their grief with the community when Cyril’s younger brother Alick McQuie was killed at the battle of Lone Pine, on the Gallipoli Peninsula in August 1915. Alick was initially reported missing to his family in Bendigo, however later in October declared ‘Killed in Action’ by a Court of Enquiry.  

Alick had already been killed at Lone Pine by the time Cyril embarked for war in late August 1915. Cyril would probably not receive this news until he arrived in Egypt or at Anzac Cove on the last day of October 1915. He would be at Anzac Cove just one month with the 6th Battalion before being evacuated to hospital in early December. Just three weeks later all Allied troops would be evacuated following this failed mission. 

Cyril would travel with the 6th Battalion to a new front in France where he would be promoted to Sergeant and serve throughout 1917 earning his first bravery recommendation on Flander’s fields at the battle of Ypresin October 1917. He would continue service through 1918 an in August, he would be recommended for the Distinguish Service Order for bravery at Lihons on August 10, be wounded by gas and evacuated to England together and be with promoted to officer as second Lieutenant by the end of that month. 

SERVICE DETAILS:

Regimental No. 2654

Place of birth; Caulfield. 6 Dec 1891

Religion: Church of England

Occupation: Bank clerk

Address: Harrison Street, Bendigo, Victoria

Marital status: Single

Age at enistment: 23

Next of kin:Father, James B McQuie, Bendigo, Victoria

Enlistment date:  24 June 1915

Unit name: 6th Battalion, 8th Reinforcement

Embarked: HMAT A68 Anchises on 26 August 1915

Final Rank: Lieutenant

Death: 16 Feb 1956 (aged 64)

Buried: Parkes General Cemetery, New South Wales                 

Studio Photo – Australian War Memorial

Informal portrait of 2654 Sergeant Cyril James Claridge McQuie, 6th Battalion, who enlisted on 24 June 1915. He was awarded the Military Medal (MM) in December 1917 and a Bar to the MM in January 1919. He was promoted to 2nd Lieutenant in August 1918 and Lieutenant in December 1918.

Military Medal location and events: 

Glencorse Wood was also the scene of fighting during Third Ypres in 1917. At 5.40am on 20 September, 1917, after 5 days of bombardment, the Australian 1st and 2nd Divisions, along with a Scottish Division, were the centre of the assault along Westhoek Ridge facing Glencorse Wood, with a combined front of 1,800 metres. It was the first occasion in the war in which two Australian Divisions attacked side by side. The Australians overcame enemy infantry opposition and advanced steadily for almost one kilometre to the first objective known as the "Red Line". [2]

Bar to Military Medal locations and events:

LIHONS on 10th day of August 1918- Australian and Canadian troops were tasked with advancing to the East to capture the village of Chaulnes via the village of Lihons, where a strategically important hill was heavily defended by the Germans. Australian losses in the battle were higher than on the first day of the Battle of Amiens, but ultimately the Germans were pushed further east and despite stiff resistance had been dealt a further defeat by the Australian and Canadian troops.[3]

[1] The Bendigonian (Bendigo, Vic. : 1914 - 1918)  Thu 28 Mar 1918  Page 10

[2] Australian Battlefields of World War 1 - France http://www.anzacsinfrance.com/1917/
[3] Veterans SA website https://veteranssa.sa.gov.au/story/centenary-of-the-battle-of-lihons/