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NX2715 - McWILLIAMS, Alexander George, Cpl.
Nominal Roll details
Military Medal (MM)
"Pte. McWilliams, as Company runner, particularly distinguished
himself at SIMPANG RENGAM. In the course of that action in which
three Companys were involved, the enemy were bringing down heavy
machine gun (MG) (at least 6 guns) and mortar fire on my "D"
Company position. It became necessary to send orders to "B"
Company, then in position forward on right flank of "D" Company,
to swing round that flank and attack.
McWilliams in carrying these orders had to move forward in the
open while under heavy machine gun (MG) fire across the forward
slopes of a fire swept ridge. The ridge was completely dominated
by the enemy, but was the only approach to "B" Company.
This task was courageously accomplished by McWilliams by whose
**** the attacking Company was successful in clearing the area
of a large party of enemy (approx 160) which menaced the right
flank of the Battalion and also the Brigade. On his return to
Company HQ this man encountered a further large party of enemy,
threw three grenades inflicting casualties, escaped and speedily
brought back this valuable information which indicated two
companies of enemy were forming up for an attack on our
position.
As a result we were able by a bayonet assault of one Company
supported by the fire of two platoons to completely break up the
enemy attack, inflicting approximately 150 casualties and
forcing the enemy to use a new type of gas [a non-poisonous
irritant] in an effort to stop our further assault. It was later
estimated that the enemy involved were in excess of one
Battalion strong and were endeavouring to cut off the Brigade
from the rear by taking a jungle defile through which the
Brigade line of withdrawal lay.
I consider the courage, tenacity and devotion to duty of this
man and the clearness in which his orders were given together
with the information brought back played a large party in the
success of the action and subsequent withdrawal of the Brigade
and I recommend that Pte McWilliams be awarded the Military
Medal."
(Source: originally transcribed from the
Diary of Brigadier D.S. Maxwell by The Army Museum Sydney
Foundation in 1998.)
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Last updated
04/06/2024 |
