Great acts of courage and bravery were demonstrated by many of the men of the Australian Imperial Force during WW1. In this section we recognise the eighteen men of the 5th/22nd that received gallantry awards during the Great War – two of them on multiple occasions – in chronological order, 100 years on to the day that they occurred. Click on the medal award link to read the full citation from the Australian War Memorial website.
2335 Pte OP HUNT
7th October 1918 – Geneve
25 year-old labourer Oswald Hunt from Richmond, Melbourne, was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal while attached with the US 117th Regiment after the 22nd Battalion had been relieved from Beaurevoir following their last fight of the Great War. ‘Pte Hunt was responsible for a Company of the 1st Battalion, 117th Regiment, getting on to the Jumping-Off Tape in time for the attack. Shell and Machine Gun fire had disorganised the Company, and the American guide was a casualty. Hunt, noticing the confusion in the Company immediately volunteered his services to the Company Commander, and guided the Company on to the Tape under heavy hostile fire. During the attack he noticed a section of men held up. As the Section Commander was a casualty, this gallant soldier took charge, and with several men worked round the enemy post, finally rushing it, killing several and wounding the remainder of the garrison. His coolness and 
determination had a good effect on the brave but untried men of the section.’ Pte Hunt (photograph front row, centre) had previously been wounded in action with a gunshot wound to the leg at Broodseinde on 4th October 1917, and it was while recovering from his wounds in England that Pte Hunt went Absent Without Leave for an extending period earning him 4 months detention following a District Courts Martial. Pte Hunt returned to Australia in July 1919 on the HT ‘Norman’.
2394 Pte GE STEPHENS
4th October 1918 – Beaurevoir
20 year-old labourer from Port Melbourne was awarded the Military Medal during the 22nd Battalion’s last fight of the Great War taking the Hindenburg Reserve Line at Beaurevoir. ‘When volunteer stretcher-bearers were called for, Pte Stephens went out to the assistance of the wounded in broad daylight. He had to cross exposed and bullet-swept ground in close proximity to enemy posts, but worked for hours unremittingly, succouring his wounded comrades and carrying them back to shelter. In performance of this work he showed absolute fearlessness and a cool courage of self sacrifice that had a marked effect on the morale of all with whom he came in contact.’ Pte Stephens enlisted at the age of just seventeen and 
by the end of the war he had been wounded in action on four occasions, the most by any of the 154 men in the 5th Reinforcements. Pte Stephens was also hospitalised sick with diarrhoea shortly after arriving in Egypt in 1915. During his time in England, Pte Stephens went Absent Without Leave for in excess of a month on two occasions with his best mate Pte Samways (later to become his brother-in-law) earning the pair a Field General Courts Martial in December 1918. It is during these periods of absence it is believed that Pte Stephens met his wife to be, Minnie Taylor from Twickenham, and the two of them returned to Australia on the SS ‘Mahana’ – the ‘bride boat’ – in September 1919.
2398 Sgt TG STRACHAN, DCM
4th October 1918 – Beaurevoir
24 year-old farmer Thomas Strachan from Corowa, New South Wales was awarded the Military Medal during the 22nd Battalion’s last fight of the Great War taking the Hindenburg Reserve Line at Beaurevoir. ‘When his officer was killed and his platoon had suffered severe losses, this NCO rallied the survivors and led them to the final objective with wonderful gallantry and dash. He headed up mopping-up and bombing parties, cleaning up the whole of his portion of the position. Finding his line exposed to very direct fire, he showed splendid initiative in pushing ahead and occupying the next commanding point, forcing the enemy to retire, and enabling our platoons on the flank to also improve their position. In this and succeeding operations Sgt. Strachan exhibited the qualities of leadership and initiative to the highest degree.’ Sgt Strachan rose through the ranks from Private 
when he was Taken on Strength in January 1916 to his promotion to Sergeant shortly before the Beaurevoir attack. Sgt Strachan contracted Trench Feet while with the Battalion on the Somme in the winter of 1916 before returning to the Battalion at the end of January 1917, as well as contracting influenza in July 1918. Sgt Strachan also spent some time in England at the 6th Training Battalion in October and November 1917. In addition to the Military Medal Sgt Strachan was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal at Morlancourt on 10th June 1918 as part of a silent daylight raid during which he sustained a bullet wound to the thigh. Sgt Strachan returned to Australia on the ‘Castalia’ in April 1919.
2365 Cpl WC RICHARDSON
17th September 1918
33 year-old clerk Charles Richardson from Williamstown was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal while serving with 6th Infantry Brigade Headquarters. ‘Cpl Richardson has served continuously with the Brigade as Clerk during the period midnight 24th/25th February, 1918 to midnight 16/17th September, 1918 during which he was on duty at Brigade Headquarters in the operations at Ville-sur-Ancre, Hamel, and Herleville from May to August 1918. He has always shown a very keen sense of duty and his work has been most valuable.’ Having been with the 22nd Battalion since its landing in France and served through Pozieres, Mouquet Farm, Flers and Bullecourt, Pte Richardson was promoted to Corporal and transferred to 6th Brigade HQ in August 1917. Cpl Richardson is one of only three men out of the 154 men from the 5th Reinforcements that was neither a conflict nor sickness casualty during the Great War. Cpl Richardson returned to Australia in April 1919 and was discharged three months later.
2493 Sgt RE Batton, MM + Bar
2nd September 1918 – Mont St. Quentin
25 year-old driver from Ararat Robert Batton of ‘A’ Company was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal during the support of the Australian 2nd Division attack at Mont St. Quentin. ‘Sgt Batton was in charge of the dump of ammunition and rations going to the forward Companies. At dark the enemy opened a heavy bombardment of this locality. By going through shelling, meeting the assembling rations parties and coolly disposing them in the surrounding trenches this NCO undoubtedly saved may casualties. Later another ration party was caught in a heavy barrage, three men being killed and others wounded. Regardless of personal safety Sgt Batton again went out, tended the wounded men and re-organised the survivors of the party who had become separated and were much shaken. He supervised their carrying and directed them to the new position setting a splendid example of coolness and leadership. It was largely due to the fine example and gallant exertions of this NCO that much needed supplies were safely delivered to this portion of the line. The greater part of this work was done in darkness and under the most trying and dangerous conditions.’ Pte Batton rose through the ranks to become Sergeant by the end of the war and became one of the most decorated men in 
the Battalion receiving the Military Medal and Bar at Pozieres in 1916 and Ville-sur-Ancre in 1918 respectively. He was also wounded on two occasions at Bois Grenier in June 1916 and near Warlencourt in February 1917. Sgt Batton, who received his DCM from HRH The Prince of Wales on the 24th December 1918 at Gourdinne, returned to Australia in April 1919 for discharge three months later. Photograph of Sgt Batton seated bottom left, courtesy of Jennie Marshall and Lieut. LW Harricks collection (see Family Stories).
2463 Pte WE BAKER
1st September 1918 – Mont St. Quentin
25 year-old Saw Miller Walter Baker from Trentham was awarded the Military Medal while serving with the 6th Trench Mortar Battery during the successful 6th Brigade attack at Mont St. Quentin. ‘Pte Baker displayed great courage in carrying Stokes Mortar ammunition up to the front line. He repeatedly throughout the day carried ammunition through heavy shell fire barrage and kept the guns supplied. In order to spell some of the tired gun crews he served one of the guns and remained at the post although in an exposed position for 19 hours, exhibiting great energy and courage.’ Pte Baker was transferred to the 6th Trench Mortar Battery in May 1916, and despite being hospitalised on three occasions with sickness went through the war without being wounded, returning to Australia in September 1919.
2398 Sgt TG STRACHAN
10th June 1918 – Morlancourt
24 year-old farmer Thomas Strachan from Corowa, New South Wales was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal at Morlancourt on 10th June 1918, as part of a silent daylight raid consisting of an Officer and 16 Other Ranks. ‘Strachan led his party with conspicuous daring and during an encounter, in which he captured a prisoner, he was wounded in the leg. In spite of this he held his prisoner and brought him back to our lines. When his Officer was severely wounded, under heavy Machine Gun fire he brought him through the wire into our trench. He then remained at his post for four hours when he collapsed and was carried the RAP. Throughout he set a splendid example of courage and determination.’ Sgt Strachan rose through the ranks from Private when he was Taken on Strength in January 1916 to his promotion to Sergeant shortly before the Morlancourt raid. Sgt Strachan contracted Trench Feet while with the Battalion on the Somme in the winter of 1916 before returning to the Battalion at the end of January 1917, as well as contracting influenza three weeks after being discharged from hospital after his wounding. He also spent some time in England at the 6th Training Battalion in October and November 1917. Sgt Strachan would go on to be decorated a second time during the 22nd Battalion’s last action of the war at Beaurevoir on 4th October 1918. Sgt Strachan returned to Australia on the ‘Castilia’ in April 1919.
2493 Sgt RE Batton, MM
19th May 1918 – Ville-sur-Ancre
25 year-old driver from Ararat Robert Batton of A Company was awarded the Bar to his Military Medal for conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty during the attack on Ville-sur-Ancre on the morning of the 19th May 1918. ‘When his Platoon Commander was wounded, Batton immediately took charge and reorganized the Platoon. As the whole of the Lewis Gun crew had become casualties he took over the Gun himself, and firing from the hip, greatly assisted in silencing opposition at the Sunken Road. He displayed great initiative in getting his Platoon dug in. Later when posts on the left were being pushed out, an enemy Machine Gun was giving the working parties a lot of trouble, when Batton took his Lewis Gun into No Man’s Land engaged and silenced the enemy gun. This NCO displayed the greatest coolness and daring throughout the whole of the operation.’ Pte Batton rose through the ranks to become Sergeant by the end of the war and became one of the most decorated men in the Battalion receiving the Military Medal and the Distinguished Conduct Medal at Pozieres in 1916 and Mont St.Quentin later in 1918 respectively. He was also wounded on two occasions at Bois Grenier in June 1916 and near Warlencourt in February 1917. Sgt Batton returned to Australia in April 1919 for discharge three months later. Photograph of Sgt Batton seated bottom left, courtesy of Jennie Marshall and Lieut. LW Harricks collection (see Family Stories).
2396 Sgt HP Swift
19th May 1918 – Ville-sur-Ancre
26 year-old carpenter Harry Swift from Sunbury was awarded the Military Medal for conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty during the attack on Ville-sur-Ancre on the morning of 19th May 1918. ‘This NCO frequently showed great initiative and courage when in charge of carrying parties under heavy fire. After the advance he repeatedly led parties carrying SAA and bombs through heavy shelling, but always succeeded on completing his work. His courageous example inspired his men. He acted with courage and initiative throughout the whole operation.’ Sgt Swift rose through the ranks from Private when he was Taken on Strength in January 1916 to his promotion to Sergeant just days before the Ville-sur-Ancre attack. With the exception of five weeks away from the Battalion with sickness in the spring of 1917, Sgt Swift was ever present until he was gassed on 17th July 1918 which necessitated his evacuation to England for treatment and return to Australia in January 1919.
2460 Pte D Bain
9th October 1917 – Broodseinde
29 year-old orchardist from Longwarry Donald Bain was awarded the Military Medal for conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty at 
Broodseinde on the 9th October 1917. ‘As linesman he laid a telephone wire overland through extremely heavy shelling. Though sniped at incessantly and subjected to Machine Gun fire he continued at his work, and throughout the whole of the operation and the succeeding night he maintained communication and repaired breaks. His work proved of the utmost value and information came back quickly to Headquarters, thus facilitating the conduct of the operation.’ Previously Pte Bain was wounded in action on 5th August 1916 at Pozieres with gunshot wound to the face and leg, and in 1918 he would be hospitalised twice with tonsillitis. In 1919 he married Jessie Welsh from Edinburgh before returning with his bride to Melbourne in October 1919.
2347 L-Cpl JC McFarlane
4th & 9th October 1917 – Broodseinde
20 year-old slaughter man from Port Melbourne John ‘Darkie’ McFarlane was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal ‘for conspicuous gallantry and daring during the attacks at Broodseinde on the 4th October and 9th October 1917, where he acted as runner and did magnificent work carrying despatches through the heaviest of barrages. When the position of one of our new forward positions on the 9th October was obscure he volunteered to look for it. After traversing No Man’s Land under Machine Gun and rifle fire he was successful in locating the post which would otherwise have been cut off. His devotion to duty, courage and endurance were splendid throughout.’ L-Cpl McFarlane was a fine example of the type of soldier that the Australians were becoming renowned for, an athletic man, tough and fearless on the battlefield but also in frequent conflict with authority. Besides his DCM L-Cpl McFarlane’s list of achievements include being Middle-Weight Boxing Champion, throwing the cricket ball with the greatest distance in military sports in France, winning a swimming race across a canal, plus twice captained the Battalion football team. Included in his war bounty was a ribbon of a Prussian Iron Cross. However L-Cpl McFarlane went Absent Without Leave on a number of occasions while in Egypt and England but more seriously neglecting to obey an order and striking an officer in the field in June 1918. Following a Field General Court Martial he was committed to Penal Servitude and prison for 3 years, commuted to one year, from which he attempted to escape and injured his knee in the process. In April 1919 he was released from prison but again went AWL, being discharged from the army in July 1920 in his absence. L-Cpl McFarlane eventually returned to Melbourne in February 1921, one of the last men in the AIF to return home.
Capt. DG EVANS
8th May 1917 – Bullecourt
25 year-old pastoralist from Wangarrata Gerald Evans was awarded the Military Cross during the latter stages of the assault on the Hindenburg Line during the Second Battle of Bullecourt with the citation as follows: ‘During the heavy fighting in the Hindenburg Line on the 8th and 9th instant, Lieut. Evans was in charge of the flank company which had the enemy in the same trench along side of them. Lieut. Evans organised and personally led a bombing attack along the trench, thereby gaining about 200 yards of same. He personally supervised the consolidation of the new position, and successfully repelled three strong counter-attacks. Throughout the fighting Lieut. Evans courageous and capable leadership and example inspired his men to a wonderful degree. By his dash and courage an 
almost impossible position was greatly improved and placed on sound tactical basis.’ As 2nd Lieut. Evans he was one of two officers of the 5th/22nd that sailed for Egypt on the RMS ‘Osterley’, where during training he was transferred to the 8th Battalion within the 2nd Brigade of the AIF 1st Division. Rising to the rank of Captain, he was also Mentioned in Dispatches on two occasions and wounded in action at Pozieres in July 1916. Capt. Evans was wounded by a shell during the 3rd Ypres offensive and sadly died of his wounds on 20th September 1917. A popular leader amongst his men, you can read his story in the Family Section of this project website.
2438 L-Cpl GHR TRIPP
3rd May 1917 – Bullecourt
26 year-old miner from Bendigo Gilbert Tripp was awarded the Military Medal during the gallant AIF 2nd Division assault on the Hindenburg Line during the Second Battle of Bullecourt with the citation as follows: ‘For conspicuous gallantry in action near Bullecourt on 3rd May 1917 in charge of Lewis Gun[s]. In the face of severe shell and M.G. fire from the enemy they [with L-Cpl Aimers] kept their guns in action supporting our bomb attacks most successfully in co-operation with the Trench Mortars. Sgt Tripp had previously been wounded at Pozieres and had risen through the ranks from Private to eventual being Sergeant. He was wounded a second time by gassing (severe) in July 1918 which saw him hospitalised in England before returning home to Australia on the ‘Ascanius’ in February 1919.
2346 Sgt PT McCORMACK
25th February 1917 – Warlencourt
26 year-old boilermaker from North Richmond Patrick McCormack of C Company was awarded the Military Medal during a raid on the enemy trenches at Warlencourt at the time of the German withdrawal to the Hindenburg Line with the citation as follows: ‘For distinguished gallantry in command of his platoon under heavy Machine Gun fire at Dinkum Spur, near Warlencourt. He led his men forward with great coolness and skill right up to the enemy’s wire and eventually withdrew them in good order on receipt of instructions.’ Sgt McCormack had previously been wounded in action at Pozieres and would be wounded a for a second time during the attack on Bullecourt on 3rd May 1917 which would result in the amputation of his right leg above the knee on account of the wounding and subsequent onset of sepsis. Sgt McCormack returned to Australia on the HS Karoola in November 1917 and would be discharged from the AIF on 15th Febraury 1918.
2493 Pte RE BATTON
5th August 1916 – Pozieres
23 year-old driver from Ararat Robert Batton of A Company was awarded the Military Medal as the 22nd Battalion attacked the German OG1 and OG2 second line of defence on the Somme at Pozieres, with the citation reading as follows: ‘During heavy bomb fighting on the morning of 5th August at Pozieres these men did excellent service as bomb carriers to the captured trenches. Their work involved long exposure to very heavy shell fire which they faced repeatedly with great coolness.’ Pte Batton rose through the ranks to become Sergeant by the end of the war and became one of the most decorated men in the Battalion receiving the Military Medal with Bar and the Distinguished Conduct Medal in 1918 at Ville-sur-Ancre and Mont St.Quentin respectively. He was also wounded on two occasions at Bois Grenier in June 1916 and near Warlencourt in February 1917. Sgt Batton returned to Australia in April 1919 for discharge three months later. Photograph of Sgt Batton seated bottom left, courtesy of Jennie Marshall and Lieut. LW Harricks collection (see Family Stories).
2403 Pte WJ SALTER
29th July 1916 – Bois Grenier & Pozieres
26 year-old student William Salter from Kerang was a Battalion stretcher-bearer since the arrival of the Battalion in France. Pte Salter was awarded the Military Medal with fellow stretcher-bearers as follows: ‘For consistent gallant conduct and devotion to duty as Stretcher-Bearers 
during the operations at Fleurbaix, Armentieres and on the Somme. They have answered the call without hesitation and regardless of heavy fire, setting a fine example of devotion to duty and self sacrifice for the sake of their wounded comrades.’ As part of D Company and during the fighting on 28th/29th July at Pozieres Pte Salter was wounded in action, being shot in the left humerus and radius, an injury that would see him invalided back to Australia on the ‘Karoola’ in October 1916. Discharged in 1917, William Salter would re-enlist in 1943 for the Second World War, this time as a chaplain, and after the war he was a Reverand.
2482 Pte HG FARRINGTON
29th July 1916 – Bois Grenier & Pozieres
26 year-old labourer Harry Farrington from North Williamstown was a Battalion stretcher-bearer since the arrival of the Battalion in France. Pte Farrington was awarded the Military Medal with fellow stretcher-bearers as follows: ‘For consistent gallant conduct and devotion to duty as Stretcher-Bearers during the operations at Fleurbaix, Armentieres and on the Somme. They have answered the call without hesitation and regardless of heavy fire, setting a fine example of devotion to duty and self sacrifice for the sake of their wounded comrades.’ Despite being wounded in action twice – at Bullecourt on 3rd May 1917 and gassed on the Somme in July 1918 – Pte Farrington survived the war returning to Australia in May 1919.
2483 Pte H WEST
29th July 1916 – Bois Grenier & Pozieres
24 year-old carpenter Harry West from Kerang was a Battalion stretcher-bearer since the arrival of the Battalion in France. Pte West was awarded the Military Medal with fellow stretcher-bearers as follows: ‘For consistent gallant conduct and devotion to duty as Stretcher-Bearers during the operations at Fleurbaix, Armentieres and on the Somme. They have answered the call without hesitation and regardless of heavy fire, setting a fine example of devotion to duty and self sacrifice for the sake of their wounded comrades.’ As part of D Company and during the fighting on 28th/29th July at Pozieres Pte West was wounded in action, being shot in the leg. Pte West would survive the war and in 1919 he married his wartime sweetheart in County Fermanagh, Northern Ireland, before returning to Australia with his wife Martha in 1920.
2368 Pte JL SIMKIN
29th July 1916 – Bois Grenier & Pozieres
26 year-old driver James Simkin from Kew was a Battalion runner since the arrival of the Battalion in France. Pte Simkin was Mentioned in Despatches as follows: ‘In the trenches in the North during the frequent bombardments when all lines were cut, and at Pozieres, by his consistent devotion to duty, he made it possible for communication between Battalion Headquarters and the front line to be maintained.’ Pte Simkin would be wounded in action during the Battalion’s attack on the German Second Line (OG1 & OG2) on the 4th August 1916 and sadly die from his wounds 11 days later at the 3rd Casualty Clearing Station, Puchevillers.
2488 L-Cpl GE ROBBINS
29th June 1916 – Bois Grenier
20 year-old ironmoulder Garnet Robbins from Mooroopna volunteered to take part in the 6th Brigade raid on the night of 29th/30th June 1916. These raids up and down the British front were designed to act as a diversion to the main Somme offensive that was to take place on 1st July. The 252 strong 6th Brigade raid, under the command of the 22nd Battalion’s Capt ARL Wiltshire was the largest of all the raids conducted by the AIF and resulted in about 100 German casualties and five prisoners brought back for identification, but with 32 casualties for the 6th Brigade including eight killed and three missing. L-Cpl Robbins received the Military Medal for ‘gallantry cutting the enemy wire while under fire and for helping to bring back the wounded as a stretcher-bearer under a barrage of shrapnel fire.’ Pte Robbins would sadly be killed in action a month later, between 27th July – 4th August 1916 at Pozieres.
FIRST WORLD WAR TIMELINE 
Following the Twenty-Second 