Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Distinguished Conduct Medal, SX 4152 Sergeant Reginald Edwin Roach - Citation

"Sergeant Roach took part in many attacks and led two patrols in the repeated assaults on enemy defences at Gona. During a dawn attack he displayed gallantry in carrying to safety one of the men who had been badly wounded. When ordered to lead a night patrol with the object of destroying an enemy machine gun post he destroyed an enemy listening post of two men and a standing patrol of 6 men on the way to the objective. As a result of these patrols the information gained was of extreme value in the success of subsequent attacks."

"It was during these hectic and tragic days that the battalion's sole Distinguished Conduct Medal was won by SX 4152 Sergeant Reg Roach, a member of the transport platoon, temporarily carrying out the duties of an infantry platoon sergeant.  - _{The Brown and Blue Diamond at War, page 150},

The citation reads:

"The 2/27th Battalion of which Sgt. Roach is a member was engaged in repeated attacks on enemy defences at Gona, between 29th November 1942 and 9th December 1942. During this period Sgt. Roach took part in many attacks and led two patrols which were sent out. On these two occasions Sgt. Roach showed outstanding courage and leadership. On 1st December 1942, during a dawn attack he displayed gallantry of a high degree in carrying to safety WOII Halligan, who had been badly wounded. This act was carried out under heavy fire. On 3rd December 1942 he was ordered to lead a night patrol with the objective of destroying an enemy machine-gun post. On the way to this objective, he destroyed an enemy listening post of two men and a standing patrol of six men. He also obtained valuable information about the foremost enemy strong posts. On the 5th December 1942 he led forward a raiding party which succeeded in reaching the enemy M.G. post and silenced it with hand grenades. In spite of heavy enemy return fire, Sgt. Roach's patrol suffered no casualties." 

"Awards For South Australians...

Sgt. Reginald Edwin Roach, DCM, who is a son of Mr. and Mrs. Roach, of Leicester street. Park side, was born at Plymouth, England, and he came to South Australia with his parents in 1923. He served in Libya, Syria, Crete and the Middle East, and in March, 1942. returned to Adelaide. He went to New Guinea, but was sent back to Australia, and is at present in hospital. While serving in the Middle East he was recommended tor the DCM, which was recently confirmed in Australia. He was mentioned in dispatches for distinguished conduct in New Guinea." - from the Adelaide Advertiser 25 Dec 1943 (nla.gov.au)