George Cross, originally the civilian VC

Bailey E.G.
Date of Action: 12 January 1945
Place of Action: Blayney, New South Wales

Donoghue R.T.
Date of Action: 29 April 1960
Place of Action: Hobart, Tasmania

Goldsworthy L.V. (Lieutenant Commander, Mine Clearance Specialist, R.A.N.V.R)
Date of Action: 12 June 1943 - 10 April 1944
Place of Action: United Kingdom

Citation: For skill and courage of a high order during a series of mine recoveries extending from the 12th June 1943, to the 10th April 1944, which led to the recovery of four German ground mines, three magnetic mines and one acoustic mine. (London Gazette: 19 September 1944).

Gosse G. (Lieutenant, Mine Clearance Specialist, R.A.N.V.R)
Date of Action: 8-19 May 1945
Place of Action: Bremen Harbour, Germany

Citation: On 8th May 1945 divers searching Undersee Hafen reported the presence of a mine which from their description appeared to be an entirely new type. Lieutenant Gosse immediately dived and verified the fact that it was a G.D. pressure type which was commonly known as ‘Oyster’. As it was necessary that this type of mine should be recovered intact it was decided to attempt to render safe the mine underwater and on the following day, May 9th, Lieutenant Gosse dived on it again. Using improvised tools he eventually succeeded in removing the primer which was followed by a loud metallic crash. The mine was eventually lifted on the quayside when it was found that the detonator had fired immediately the primer had been removed. During the subsequent tens days Lieutenant Gosse rendered safe two similar types of mines which were lying in close proximity to shipping and in each instance the detonator fired before the mine reached the surface. (London Gazette: 30 April 1946).

Hardy B.G. (Private, 22nd Australian Garrison Battalion, A.M.F)
Date of Action: 4-5 August 1944
Place of Action: Cowra, New South Wales

Citation: Private Benjamin Hardy and Private Ralph Jones were on duty at the No. 12 Prisoner of War Camp, as members of a Vickers machine gun crew, guarding the prisoner of war compound, in which were interned over 1,000 Japanese prisoners of war. On the might of 4-5 August 1944 the Japanese prisoners, armed with knives, baseball clubs, and other weapons, staged a mass outbreak, stormed over the perimeter and bore down on the machine gun crew.

Privates Jones and Hardy stood their ground and continued to work the gun until bashed to death, displaying outstanding gallantry and devotion to duty in their fight against an overwhelming onslaught of fanatical Japanese. They met their deaths in the true British spirit of sacrifice for their country. (London Gazette: 1 September 1950.)

Jones R. (Private, 22nd Australian Garrison Battalion, A.M.F.)
Date of Action: 4-5 August 1944
Place of Action: Cowra, New South Wales

Citation: Private Ralph Jones and Private Benjamin Hardy were on duty at the No. 12 Prisoner of War Camp, as members of a Vickers machine gun crew, guarding the prisoner of war compound, in which were interned over 1,000 Japanese prisoners of war. On the might of 4-5 August 1944 the Japanese prisoners, armed with knives, baseball clubs, and other weapons, staged a mass outbreak, stormed over the perimeter and bore down on the machine gun crew.

Madden H.W.
Date of Action: 24 April - 6 November 1951
Place of Action: Chinese POW Camp, North Korea

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Citation: Private Madden was captured by Chinese Communist Forces on 24 April 1951 near Milton. He was a signaller attached to Battalion headquarters (3RAR) at the time and received concussion prior to being captured.

Private Madden was held prisoner by the enemy until about 6 November 1951, when he died of malnutrition and the result of ill treatment. During this period he openly resisted all enemy efforts to force him to collaborate, to such a degree that his name and example were widely known through the various groups of prisoners. Testimonials have been provided by officers and men from many units of the Commonwealth and Allied forces which showed that the heroism he displayed was quite outstanding.

Despite repeated beatings and many forms of ill treatment inflicted because of his defiance to his captors, Private Madden remained cheerful and optimistic. Although deprived of food because of his behaviour, resulting in severe malnutrition, he was known to share his meagre supplies, purchased from Koreans, with other prisoners who were sick.

It would have been apparent to Private Madden that to pursue this course must eventually result in his death. This did not deter him, and for over six months, although becoming progressively weaker, he remained undaunted in his resistance. He would in no way co-operate with the enemy.

This gallant soldiers outstanding heroism was an inspiration to all his fellow prisoners. (London Gazette: 30 December 1955.)

Matthews L.C.
Date of Action: August 1942 - 2 March 1944
Place of Action: Japanese POW Camp, Sandakan, Borneo

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Citation: Captain Matthews was a prisoner of war held by the Japanese in Sandakan, Borneo, between August 1942 and March 1944. During this period he directed personally an underground intelligence organisation and arranged through native contacts for the delivery into the camp of sorely needed medical supplies, food and money, factors which not only kept up the morale and courage of the prisoners but which undoubtedly saved the lives of many. He was instrumental in arranging a radio link with the outside world and was able to send weekly news bulletins to the civil internees on Berhala Island. He was also responsible for arranging the delivery to a secret rendezvous of firearms for future use. Although a prisoner of war, Captain Matthews was appointed to command the North British Armed Constabulary and at great danger organised that body, together with the local native population in Sandakan into readiness for a rising against the Japanese. He gained contact with guerrilla forces in the Philippines and successfully organised escape parties. He continued these activities at the greatest peril to himself until arrested. Captain Matthews, although subjected to brutal torture, beatings and starvation, steadfastly refused to make admissions to implicate or endanger of the lives of his associates. His conduct at all times was that of a very brave and courageous gentleman and he worthily upheld the highest traditions of an Australian officer.

Captain Matthews was executed by the Japanese on 2nd March 1944 and even at the time of his execution defied the Japanese. (Commonwealth of Australia Gazette: 11 December 1947.)

Mould J.S. (Lieutenant, Mine Clearance Specialist R.A.N.V.R.)
Date of Action: 14 November 1941 - 30 June 1942
Place of Action: United Kingdom

Citation: Lieutenant Mould has shown the highest form of personal courage combined with exceptional skill in planning and executing the many difficult and dangerous operations he has been charged with. He joined HMS Vernon for enemy mining work in March 1941, and since then he has been almost continually employed on most dangerous work. His outstanding work in dock clearance operations and those resulting in the stripping of the early German mine Type G has been the subject of a previous recommendation for which he was ultimately awarded the George Medal.

Since that time he has carried out the most important recovery and rendering safe operations with brilliant success. These operations have included the recovery, rendering safe and investigation of the first German acoustic unit and moored magnetic mine. (London Gazette: 3 November 1942).

Pratt M.K.
Date of Action: 4 June 1976
Place of Action: Melbourne, Victoria

Civilian award

Rogers J. (Chief Petty Officer Royal Australian Navy)
Date of Action: 10 February 1964
Place of Action: HMAS Melbourne, off New South Wales Coast

Citation: On 10th February 1964, HMAS Voyager sank after a collision. Chief Petty Officer Rogers, DSM, kept up the morale of junior ratings, organised the escape of as many as possible, and stayed with those who could not and encouraged them to to meet their death with dignity and honour. He upheld the highest tradition of the Service at sea and of his rating as a Chief Petty Officer.

Syme H.R. (Lieutenant, Mine Clearance Specialist, R.A.N.V.R)
Date of Action: 19 May 1941 - 25 December 1942
Place of Action: UK

Syme won the George Medal twice and the George Cross once during his duty as a mine clearance officer with the Royal Navy. His first George Medal (London Gazette: 27 June 1941) was awarded for his coolness in dealing with ten mines, one of which exploded when it was being turned to expose the fuse. Syme escaped uninjured. He was awarded a bar to his George Medal (London Gazette: 19 June 1942) for the disposal of particularly dangerous parachute mine which was lodged under eight feet of heavy clay near an anti-aircraft battery and water reservoir.

Citation: During 21 months of service in the Enemy Mining Section of HMS Vernon, Lieutenant Syme carried out 19 mine recovery or disposal operations including 5 acoustic, 8 magnetic, 2 acoustic magnetic mines and the recovery of the first and only Type T sinker. (London Gazette: 3 August 1943).

Syme won the George Cross for a series of nineteen defusing tasks over as many months. The most notable was his location and recovery intact of a new kind of mine known as a Type T. During the clearance, he was forced to endure many painful electric shocks. Working in knee-deep mud, at one stage he was hanging upside down in a hole next to the mine, and was thus helpless had the fuse functioned. Again, he obtained invaluable information on the construction and defusing of this type of mine.


George Medal front & back
Syme was awarded 2 plus the GC

Taylor G.A.M.
Date of Action: January - April 1951
Place of Action: Territory of Papua and New Guinea

Civilian award

Taylor P.G.
Date of Action: 15 May 1935
Place of Action: Off the New South Wales Coast

Civilian award