Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Victor was a butcher from Bendigo, Victoria and a serving member of the 38th Militia Battalion when he enlisted with the 2nd Australian Imperial Force on 2nd December 1940. He was appointed an acting Sergeant on 4th December 1940 with the 2/29th Australian Infantry Battalion and he served in Malaya from 30th July 1941 having been promoted to the rank of Sergeant. During an engagement with the enemy on 18th January 1942 he was wounded in action and he was admitted into the 10th Australian General Hospital on 24th January with gunshot wounds to his neck, back and jaw. He transferred to the 2nd Convalescent Depot on 2nd February 1942 and he was taken Prisoner of War of the Japanese on 15th February. He was with "F" Force who were held in a Japanese Prisoner of War Camp in Malaya and he also spent time in the Changi Camp in Singapore. After the War he was returned to Australia on 9th October 1945 and discharged on 6th December.
Awards:
1. Distinguished Conduct Medal (DCM) London Gazette 10th January 1946 Page 380
"On 18th January 1942 at BAKRI Sgt Wedlick was ordered to engage with his carrier an enemy machine gun post. Although wounded and forced to withdraw he returned three times to the attack under heavy fire and finally compelled the enemy machine gun party to withdraw. On 19th January Sgt Wedlick again showed conspicuous gallantry in driving his carrier close in to an enemy machine gun post in an attempt to cover the passage of transport of his unit, with the result that two vehicles containing wounded were successfully withdrawn. On 20th January this N.C.O made several attempts to break through an enemy road block under heavy fire by attacking the block with his carrier at close quarters."
2. 1939-45 Star
3. Pacific Star
4. War Medal 1939-45
5. Australian Service Medal
6. Australian Efficiency Medal with One Clasp