World War 1 - Honours and Awards

Victoria Cross (VC)

The Victoria Cross (VC) is the highest military decoration awarded for valour "in the face of the enemy" to members of the armed forces of various Commonwealth countries, and previous British Empire territories. It takes precedence over all other orders, decorations and medals. It may be awarded to a person of any rank in any service and to civilians under military command. The VC is usually presented to the recipient or to their next of kin by the British monarch at an investiture held at Buckingham Palace. During WW1 there were a total of 64 awards of the VC made to Australian Servicemen.

There was one (1) VC awarded to a serviceman who enlisted from Collie and Surrounding Districts.

Sgt Martin O’MEARA VC (for Most Conspicuous Bravery during the WW1 battle of Pozieres August 1916).

Distinguished Conduct Medal (DCM)

The Distinguished Conduct Medal (DCM) was (until 1993) an extremely high level award for bravery. It was a second level (second only to VC), military decoration awarded to other ranks of the British Army and formerly also to non-commissioned personnel of other Commonwealth countries in recognition of gallantry within the other ranks.

‍There were five (5) DCM awards to servicemen who enlisted from Collie and Surrounding Districts.

‍CSM Albert William CLARK DCM

Cpl Joseph HALL DCM

Cpl Gordon Lindsay VERNON DCM

Pte Stanley William WAYWOOD DCM

Sgt Thomas WILSON DCM

‍

Distinguished  Service Order (DSO)

The Distinguished Service Order (DSO) is a military decoration of the United Kingdom, and formerly of other parts of the Commonwealth of Nations and British Empire, awarded for meritorious or distinguished service by officers of the armed forces during wartime, typically in actual combat. It was usually awarded for service under fire or under conditions equivalent to service in actual combat with the enemy, (second only to the VC).

‍There was one (1) DSO awarded to an Officer who enlisted from Collie and Surrounding Districts.

Major Eliazar Lazar MARGOLIN DSO.

Military Medal (MM)

The Military Medal (MM)was (until 1993) military decoration awarded to personnel of the British Army and other services, and formerly also to personnel of other Commonwealth countries, below commissioned rank, for bravery in battle on land. In 1993 the MM was discontinued and replaced by the MG, for all ranks.

‍There were sixteen (16) MM awards to service men who enlisted from Collie and Surrounding Districts.

CSM Charles Henry ALCORN MM & Bar 2

Cpl George BALL MM

Lt Henry Ernest BRADBURY MM (Cpl at time of award)

Pte Lewis Albert CRIDDLE MM

L/Cpl John DICKSON MM

Cpl Robert Alexander DRYSDALE MM

Pte Alexander Coulton FORSTER MM

Sgt Richard Hugo HART MM

Pte Harold HICKS MM

Driver Lesley Norman HOLDING MM

L/Cpl Aron Frank LAWRIE MM

Cpl Charles McQUADE MM

Cpl George Blunderfield NOELL MM & Bar

Tpr Thomas Hugh SARRE MM

L/Cpl William Henry SAUNDERS MM

Sgt Walter Edgar WEBB MM & Bar

Bar to the Military Medal (MM)

A servicemen could be recommended more than once for the same award (on separate occasions), in this case a second Medal is not awarded, however a Bar to the medal is awarded indicating a first, second or in one case, (for an Australian Serviceman), third Bar (MM) award.

Military Cross (MC)

The Military Cross (MC) is the third-level military decoration awarded to officers and formerly to officers of other Commonwealth countries. The Military Cross is awarded to commissioned officers of the substantive rank of Captain or below or Warrant Officers for distinguished and meritorious services in battle.

There were three (3) MC awards to Officers who enlisted from Collie and Surrounding Districts.

Lt Oscar Roy HOWIE MC

George Arthur LAMERTON MC  

2/Lt Charles Daniel Wimbledon LINTOTT MC

Note: Two (2) of the award recipients enlisted as privates and were promoted through the ranks to become commissioned officers, in the field.

Croix de Guerre

The Croix de Guerre  ( English translation: Cross of War) is a military decoration of France. During WW1 and WW2 the decoration was commonly awarded to foreign military forces allied to France for acts of heroism involving combat with the enemy.

There was one (1) Croix de Guerre awarded to a serviceman who enlisted from Collie and Surrounding Districts.

CSM Alexander Wilton O‘NEILL Croix de Guerre

‍

‍

Meritorious Service Medal (MSM)

The Meritorious Service Medal was awarded for acts of gallantry or meritorious conduct when not in the face of the enemy.

There were four (4) MSM awards to servicemen who enlisted from Collie and Surrounding Districts.

Driver Joseph HYMAN MSM

L/Sgt Edward Frederick KOHLER MSM

Driver Henry SIMMONDS MSM

CSM Alexander WALLACE MSM

‍

‍

Mention In Despatches (MID)

Those servicemen who perform a noteworthy action which is mentioned in a report are said to have been Mentioned in Despatches.

‍During WW1 there were six(6) servicemen from Collie and Surrounding Districts who were Mentioned in Despatches.

Pte James Patrick CONNOLY MID

Sgt James Ash GILBERT MID

Pte Joseph Gordon McINERNEY MID

Pte Thomas PRIESTMAN MID

Major Eliazar Lazar MARGOLIN DSO MID

Sgt Alexander STEWART MID

‍

Romanian Croix De Virtue Militara (2nd  Class)

The Military Virtue Medal (Romanian: Medalia "Virtutea Militară") is a Romanian military decoration awarded for acts of bravery.

The medal had 2 classes, the 1st class (in gold) being awarded to the officers, and the 2nd class (in silver) to non-commissioned officers and the other enlisted ranks.

There was One (1) award of the Romanian Croix de Virtue Militara (2nd class) made to a serviceman who enlisted from Collie and Surrounding Districts.

BSM William Charles Edward SMITH Romanian Croix de Virtue Militara (2nd Class)