Distinguished Conduct Medal : Corporal V W Lalor, 14 Battalion, AIF Accession Number: REL/05782.001

Description

Distinguished Conduct Medal (Geo V). Impressed around edge with recipient's details.

Contextual Description

5688 Corporal Vivian William Lalor, enlisted on 9 February 1916 in the 18th Reinforcements of 14 Battalion, AIF. He returned to Australia on 12 December 1918. Awarded Distinguish Conduct Medal 18th September 1918 near Ascension Wood, France (Corporal). He was awarded the Military Medal on 26 September 1917 at Zonnebeke, Belgium and a bar to the Military Medal on 8 August 1918 near Morcourt, France. The following month Lalor was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal (DCM). The recommendation for the DCM reads 'For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty near ASCENSION WOOD on 18th. September 1918. Although his company was suffering heavy casualties, and three men out of his section were wounded, when advancing through BIG BILL WOOD, this N.C.O. rushed boldly on ahead and brought his gun into action and covered the advance of his company. Again later by pushing ahead he engaged at close range and silenced two enemy machine guns which were holding up the advance. During the latter stages of the advance he displayed great tactical skill in the use of his Lewis Gun. On many occasions he worked forward into shell holes and engaged any enemy machine guns which were in action. Throughout the advance he displayed great initiative and bravery. He was responsible to a great extent for his company reaching its objective with the minimum number of casualties and inflicting a large number of casualties on the enemy. This N.C.O. was awarded [i.e. awards were gazetted] M.M. on 18/12/1917 and Bar to M.M. on 5/9/1918'.