Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

https://recordsearch.naa.gov.au/SearchNRetrieve/Interface/ViewImage.aspx?B=3450918

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Sydney's diary entries cease on 20 July. From the War Diaries of the 7th Brigade held by the Australian War Memorial, the 26th Battalion was in reserve at Glisy and Blangy from 1 August before moving up into the line on 7 August. On 8 August the Battle of Amiens commenced with an attack launched at 4.20 am. The 26th Battalion, working with a section of tanks, was on the right flank and were to advance along the north side of the railway line towards Marcelcave. Objectives ironically included Card Copse where Sydney was initially buried. Reports state there was heavy fog and visibility was restricted to 10 yards for about 2 hours. A large number of casualties were due to men being caught in their own rolling barrage. From reports in the Australian Red Cross Society Wounded and Missing Enquiry Bureau Files, Sydney was in D Coy and died instantaneously after being hit by pieces of a shell. Pte H Webley 6167 of B Coy 26th Battalion stated 'Casualty happened in the morning of 8-8-18 just after the hop over when still in action'. Pte Webley was wounded by the same shell. Sydney was initially buried on the 9th August in Card Copse British Cemetery one mile North West of Marcelcave before being re-interred in Villers-Bretonneux Military Cemetery on 31st March 1920. Sydney is also commemorated on the Mothers Memorial in East Creek Park and the Soldiers Memorial Hall, both in Toowoomba. Sydney's younger brother, Stanley Clifford Cousens #816 15th Battalion also served in WW1 and was killed in action on 9th August 1916 two years earlier at Pozieres. Compiled by Ian Cousens

Statement, 2878 Corporal E.E. POULTER, B Company, 60th Bn, 29 January 1917: 'The last time I saw him was in No Man's Land about 150 yds. from our line. He was shot through the side and the bullet evidently lodged in his stomach as he doubled up and fell. We could not hold the ground. We went over with 1100 men and 63 men answered the roll call.'

https://nominal-rolls.dva.gov.au/veteran?id=701592&c=WW2#R

https://nominal-rolls.dva.gov.au/veteran?id=417955&c=WW2#R

https://recordsearch.naa.gov.au/SearchNRetrieve/Interface/ViewImage.aspx?B=1920549

https://www.aif.adfa.edu.au/showPerson?pid=134488

https://recordsearch.naa.gov.au/SearchNRetrieve/Interface/ViewImage.aspx?B=8002162

https://recordsearch.naa.gov.au/SearchNRetrieve/Interface/ViewImage.aspx?B=4380386

https://nominal-rolls.dva.gov.au/veteran?id=1060032&c=WW2#R

https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/R1808721

https://recordsearch.naa.gov.au/SearchNRetrieve/Interface/ViewImage.aspx?B=6352755

History_153_Sqn__Oct_44-Sept_45__1_.pdf

https://nominal-rolls.dva.gov.au/veteran?id=1025409&c=WW2#R

https://aif.adfa.edu.au/showPerson?pid=96685

https://recordsearch.naa.gov.au/SearchNRetrieve/Interface/ViewImage.aspx?B=5372974

https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/R2214609

https://nominal-rolls.dva.gov.au/veteran?id=1049322&c=WW2#R

https://recordsearch.naa.gov.au/SearchNRetrieve/Interface/ViewImage.aspx?B=7379770

https://recordsearch.naa.gov.au/SearchNRetrieve/Interface/ViewImage.aspx?B=8088002

https://recordsearch.naa.gov.au/SearchNRetrieve/Interface/ViewImage.aspx?B=1750799

'During the operations at POLYGON WOOD, east of YPRES on 20th September, 1917, Pte. BATES showed great bravery and devotion to duty when, as an observer, he moved out in front of the Battalion and there, by his determination to hang on and his personal disregard of personal safety, he gained and sent back much useful information as to the enemy's movements on his positions of assembly.' Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 31 Date: 7 March 1918 Although the citation cites Polygon Wood, this was the limit of exploitation of the Battle of Menin Road. A subsequent battle commencing 26 Sep is known as the Battle of Polygon Wood.

'During the enemy counter attack on our newly won positions near VILLE sur ANCRE on the evening of 4th July 1918, he fired on S.O.S. lines until his mortar was taken forward by the N.C.O. in charge of the detachment to a shell hole position on 'No Man's Land' without waiting for orders he followed his N.C.O. with ammunition, making in all four trips through an intense barrage, and assisted in firing the mortar, thus helping to put out of action a machine gun which was enfilading our position and causing us many casualties and much inconvenience. Throughout the action he showed great bravery and assisted his Officers in every possible way.' Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 23 Date: 12 February 1919

https://recordsearch.naa.gov.au/SearchNRetrieve/Interface/ViewImage.aspx?B=1926194

Air Ministry, 22nd July, 1941. ROYAL AIR FORCE The KING has been graciously pleased to confer the Victoria Cross on the undermentioned officer in recognition of most conspicuous bravery:— Acting Wing Commander Hughie Idwal Edwards, D.F.C. (39005), No 105. Squadron. Wing Commander Edwards, although handicapped by a physical disability resulting from a flying accident, has repeatedly displayed gallantry of the highest order in pressing home bombing attacks from very low heights against strongly defended objectives. On 4th July, 1941, he led an important attack on the Port of Bremen, one of the most heavily defended towns in Germany. This attack had to be made in daylight and there were no clouds to afford concealment. During the approach to the German coast several enemy ships were sighted and Wing Commander Edwards knew that his aircraft would be reported and that the defences would be in a state of readiness. Undaunted by this misfortune he brought his formation 50 miles overland to the target, flying at a height of little more than 50 feet, passing under high-tension cables, carrying away telegraph wires and finally passing through a formidable balloon barrage. On reaching Bremen he was met with a hail of fire, all his aircraft being hit and four of them being destroyed. Nevertheless he made a most successful attack, and then with the greatest skill and coolness withdrew the surviving aircraft without further loss. Throughout the execution of this operation which he had planned personally with full knowledge of the risks entailed, Wing Commander Edwards displayed the highest possible standard of gallantry and determination.

https://recordsearch.naa.gov.au/SearchNRetrieve/Interface/ViewImage.aspx?B=5451202

https://nominal-rolls.dva.gov.au/veteran?id=849255&c=WW2

https://recordsearch.naa.gov.au/SearchNRetrieve/Interface/ViewImage.aspx?B=8021493

https://recordsearch.naa.gov.au/SearchNRetrieve/Interface/ViewImage.aspx?B=4461324

http://nominal-rolls.dva.gov.au/veteran?id=719954&c=WW2

https://recordsearch.naa.gov.au/SearchNRetrieve/Interface/ViewImage.aspx?B=3095037

https://recordsearch.naa.gov.au/SearchNRetrieve/Interface/ViewImage.aspx?B=8195901

https://nominal-rolls.dva.gov.au/veteran?id=839372&c=WW2#R

https://recordsearch.naa.gov.au/SearchNRetrieve/Interface/ViewImage.aspx?B=6258504

https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/R1643178

Janeczek__Joseph_-_Paybook.pdf

Originally listed as 'No Known Grave' and commemorated at V.C. Corner (Panel No 11), Australian Cemetery, Fromelles; subsequently (2011) identified, and interred in the Fromelles (Pheasant Wood) Military Cemetery, France. Note on Form B103: 'Identification Disc received from Germany. No particulars were afforded except that the soldier is dead. to be reported KILLED IN ACTION FRANCE 19-20th July 16.' Note on file: 'austr. Sold. Russell, A. 54. A.K. Nr. 4299. am 19.7.16. in Gegend Fromelles gefallen.' Note on Red Cross File 2380411: 'Identity disc recd. From Germany and despatched to Next of Kin ... 1.9.1919.' Statement, 3123 Sergeant F. POLDING, 54th Bn (patient, 9th General Hospital, Rouen), 9 November 1916: 'During the attack on Fleurbaix on the 19th July, we had very heavy losses. Many dead bodies were collected after the action and buried. I was informed by several men of the burying party that Russell's body was recovered and buried. I do not, however, remember the name of any particular man of the burying party who told me this.' 'The above name appeared on German death list dated 4-11-16.' Second statement, 4375 Pte E. SCOBLE, 54th Bn (patient, 2nd Birmingham War Hospital, Hollymoor, England), 18 February 1917: 'Arthur Russell's brother William Russell, 2300 54. A.I.F. told him Arthur Russell was killed and buried by Sgt. Allen.'

https://recordsearch.naa.gov.au/SearchNRetrieve/Interface/ViewImage.aspx?B=8206671

https://recordsearch.naa.gov.au/SearchNRetrieve/Interface/ViewImage.aspx?B=8096962

https://recordsearch.naa.gov.au/SearchNRetrieve/Interface/ViewImage.aspx?B=1945581

https://nominal-rolls.dva.gov.au/veteran?id=716478&c=WW2#R

_NAA-WW1__LH_MORTIMER_SN-16610.pdf

https://recordsearch.naa.gov.au/SearchNRetrieve/Interface/ViewImage.aspx?B=3400544

https://recordsearch.naa.gov.au/SearchNRetrieve/Interface/ViewImage.aspx?B=5833743

https://nominal-rolls.dva.gov.au/veteran?id=68620&c=WW2

https://nominal-rolls.dva.gov.au/veteran?id=1262268&c=VIETNAM#R

Ivor_Peatty_402805_Casualty_Record.pdf

For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty during operations against enemy positions south of the SOMME east of HAMEL on 8th August, 1918. Corporal SEE, with his section, stormed a strong point in ACCROCHE WOOD and succeeded in killing four and capturing 16 of the enemy. He led his section close to the barrage and on reaching RAT WOOD cooperated in the capture of a battery of 4.2's which had been firing point blank, killing a gunner and capturing 7 others. With his section he captured altogether 27 prisoners. Throughout Corporal SEE displayed courage, energy, determination and leadership, and greatly inspired his men.' Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 61

http://www.ww2roll.gov.au/Veteran.aspx?ServiceId=R&VeteranId=1012459