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NX55561 - HALL, Leslie Gordon, Sgt.
Distinguished Conduct Medal (DCM)
"At GEMAS on 14 January, 1942, soon after contact was made with
the enemy, the Signal communication with the forward Company
("B" Company in ambush 2½ miles forward) was cut.
As communication with this Company was essential, Sgt. Hall with
two other Signalmen was sent to repair the break. They were
ambushed by an enemy patrol. They fought their way back,
assisting the wounded man and later Sgt. Hall went out with two
other Signalmen to patrol forward to the scene of the break and
ascertain the enemy's strength.
It was ascertained that an enemy platoon was covering the break
with two light machine guns (LMGs) in position astride the main
road. Sgt. Hall showing great courage, tapped our cable at a
point from where the enemy position could be observed and sent
information in Morse, expressing a desire to continue.
I instructed him to return and as a result of the information,
sent him out in charge of a patrol which also consisted of one
Sgt. and two sections from a rifle Company, the whole being
placed under Sgt. Hall's orders. Under the leadership of Hall,
this party attacked the enemy with great dash, drove them back
and inflicted most severe casualties, the papers of one enemy
officer being obtained and sent back to Battalion HQ.
The example of Sgt. Hall's determination to restore
communication and his personal bravery, courage and leadership
was an inspiration to all the men under him (all of whom were
fighting their first battle) and his devotion to duty even
beyond that of his own job, was of the highest order not only on
the afternoon of the main battle but also during the action the
following day when contact was made with the enemy's main
forces.
I have no hesitation in recommending that Sgt. L.G. Hall be
awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal for his bravery and
courage."
(Source: 2/30 Bn.
Archives - originally transcribed from the
Diary of Brigadier D.S. Maxwell by The Army Museum Sydney
Foundation in 1998.)
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Last updated
24/08/2022 |
