NX2715 - McWILLIAMS, Alexander George, Cpl.

 

 

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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