George Cartwright VC (December 9, 1894 - February 2, 1978) was an Australian recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces. He was 23 years old, and a private in the 33rd Battalion (N.S.W.), Australian Imperial Force during the First World War when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC. On 31 August 1918 at Road Wood, south-west of Bouchavesnes, near Peronne, France, when two companies were held up by machine-gun fire, Private Cartwright attacked the gun alone under intense fire. He shot three of the crew, and, having bombed the post, captured the gun and nine of the enemy. He later achieved the rank of Captain. His Victoria Cross is displayed at the Imperial War Museum (London, England).
References
- Monuments to Courage (David Harvey, 1999)
- The Register of the Victoria Cross (This England, 1997)
External links
| Military of Australia Portal |
