VC Award Dinner

When Australia’s VC recipients were honoured with a presentation dinner, hosted by John Wren, following the First World War, Lawrence Dominic McCarthy V.C had his fellow honorees sign a copy of the menu to keep as a souvenir.

The signed menu is now located at Strand Coins in the Strand Arcade in Sydney and offers a tangible link to some of this country’s greatest war heroes.

Featured on the menu are:

Private John Carroll.
During the battle of Messines Ridge in June 1917, Carroll rescued a comrade who was in trouble. In the process he rushed an enemy trench, bayoneting four men. During the same advance he attacked a machine-gun crew, capturing the weapon. He also rescued two soldiers who had been buried by a shell explosion.

Sergeant Maurice Vincent Buckley
On the 18th of September 1918 in France, Sergeant Buckley single handedly attacked at least six machine-gun positions, captured a field gun and took nearly 100 prisoners, helping to secure the safety of his battalion.

Sergeant John James Dwyer
While advancing his Vickers gun forward to achieve a commanding position Dwyer noticed an enemy machine gun inflicting causalities on his right flank. Rushing the position Dwyer took charge of the enemy gun and then used it and his Vickers gun to inflict further enemy causalities. Dwayer then moved both guns to help support his fellow soldiers.

Corporal George Julian Howell
With German flame-throwers and grenades forcing the 3rd Brigade to withdraw Howell, fearing that the German’s would then be able to outflank his 1st Battalion organized a resistance force and began to bomb the Germans. Howell climbed on top of a parapet and bombed away, driving the Germans back. When he ran out of bombs he continued with his bayonet and was severally wounded.

Private William Matthew Currey
With his battalion’s attack being halted by an enemy machine gun Currey rushed the enemy gun and took control of it, killing the crew. Later in the same day the advancing battalion encountered another strong position. Currey yet again moved to the side of the position and opened fire, taking the position and allowing his battalion to move forward. The following day Currey took it upon himself to warn an isolated company to withdraw. Crawling out into no-mans land he called out to the company, an action which brought a hail of bullets and gas down upon him. However, Currey managed to warn the isolated company and escape himself.

Lieutenant Joseph Maxwell
Taking charge of his company following the death of his company commander Maxwell lead his troops through German wire trap and single handedly took control of a machine gun position, allowing his men to move forward. Later Maxwell went to take charge of some Germans who wished to surrender. However it was a trap and Maxwell and two others were stripped of their weapons. Just then a five minute barrage caused confusion amongst the Germans and Maxwell used the situation to his advantage, drawing a concealed weapon and leading his men to rescue.

Private John William Alexander Jackson
After taking part in a night time attack on German trenches, Jackson and the rest of his raiders came under heavy fire while making their way back to the safety of their own lines. After returning to the trenches to deposit a prisoner Jackson ran back out into No Man’s Land to help bring in another wounded. He went out a second time to get another of the wounded and in the process had his arm blown off. After getting assistance Jackson went back out into No Man’s Land a third time to bring it yet another of the wounded soldiers.

John Wren
Not a V.C recipient, John Wren hosted the evening. Wren was a businessman who achieved legendary status through a fictionalized account of his life in the book Power Without Glory, which was subsequently made into a television series.

Lance Corporal Walter Peeler
Faced with an enemy sniper who was taking out advancing troops, Peeler rushed the position, accounting for the sniper and nine other enemy. Peeler repeated this action on two more occasions accounting for more than thirty enemy soldiers.

Private George Cartwright
Suffering withering machine-gun fire Carwright rushed the enemy gunners position, lobbing a grenade at them and continuing on to capture nine enemy. His actions had a great effect on his fellow troops who proceeded to attack with renewed vigor.

Private John (Patrick) Hamilton
With the Turkish soldiers moving towards where the 3rd battalion was dug in at Gallipoli Hamilton took position behind some sandbags in open ground. From this position he was able to track the movements of the enemy which he conveyed to soldiers in the trench, directing them as to where they should aim their bombs. All the while Hamilton maintained sniper fire at the oncoming enemy soldiers.

Lance Corporal Thomas Leslie Axford
While advancing on a German position the platoon adjoining Axford’s was delayed due to wire traps and as a result was suffering casualties from a machine gun position. Axford rushed in to help. Bombing and bayoneting the machine gun and killing ten enemies and taking six prisoners. He then removed the machine gun from its position and called the adjoining unit forward. He then rejoined his battalion.

Private (Edward) John (Francis) Ryan
In September 1918 near Bellicourt, France, Ryan inspired his fellow soldiers by being first to the enemy line. He was then instrumental in driving back a German counter-attack being wounded in the shoulder.

James McGuinness
Not a V.C winner, Mr McGuiness was believed to have been an assistant to John Wren, speaking on his behalf at the ceremony.

Lieutenant Lawrence Dominic McCarthy
With his battalion pinned down by machine-gun fire McCarthy and two others stormed the nearest post. After taking control of the gun they continued down the enemy trench, inflicting a great number of casualties and capturing more machine-guns. They continued down the trench until they met up with an allied force. In his assault McCarthy had killed twenty enemy, captured five machine guns and taken fifty prisoners.

Coincidently the dinner consisted of Oyster Cocktail, Crème of Lobster, Flounders Menrniere, Filet Whiting Sauce Tartare, Crème of Schnapper Sauce Hollandaise, Omellettes Oriental, Roast Turkey and Ham, French Salad, Green Peas, Baked and Boiled Potatoes, Gateau des Fruites, Plum Pudding Brandy Sauce, Peach Melba, Cheese Fingers, Fruit and Cake!

For more information on Australia’s V.C winners visit the AWM website.

For more information on this menu please contact us.