Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

George Spencer served in the CMF pre-WW2. On the outbreak of the war he enlisted into the 2/10th Australian Infantry Battalion. He served in the Defence of England, Tobruk, Middle East and the Pacific. Older than most of the soldiers he was a father figure and the men told of how he looked after them. Post war he served in the CMF as a Warrant Officer.

Awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal for bravery at Buna, New Guinea in December 1942. The citation reads:

"For conspicuous gallantry and bravery during the BUNA AERODROME action. On 26 December 1942 Sergeant SPENCER took over command of 15 Platoon C Company 2/10th Australian Infantry Battalion when Lieutenant McDOUGALL was wounded during an attack on a Japanese pill box. Through Sergeant SPENCER's action in withdrawing part of 15 Platoon from a dangerous position and then himself occupying a hazardous but more advantageous fire position, covering loopholes in the pill box, he finally silenced the opposing automatic fire and was personally largely responsible for the success of the attack.

Further, on 29 December during the company's unsuccessful attack on the coconut grove at GIROPA POINT, Sergeant SPENCER walked out across open ground in the face of deadly fire from enemy positions, set up and operated, himself, his platoon 2" mortar, causing casualties to the enemy and appreciably reducing their fire, thereby enabling our wounded to be withdrawn and considerably reducing casualties to our own troops.

Sergeant SPENCER's leadership and judgement since he has commanded the platoon has been of the highest order. His courage at all times was a great inspiration to his platoon and his company. He was always found in the most dangerous position in his platoon and had a complete disregard of his own safety to attain success for his unit."