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John Hurst Edmondson, who was born in Wagga Wagga, New South Wales on 8 October 1914, was awarded the Victoria Cross for gallantry in the Siege of Tobruk. He was the first Australian to be awarded a VC in World War II.
He enlisted in the 2/17th Battalion on 20 May 1940. As he'd already had militia service with the 4th Battalion (the Australian Rifles) he was quickly promoted to corporal and embarked for the Middle East on 19 October 1940.
He was part of the 9th Division which relieved the 6th Division at Marsa Brega. General Rommel, the new German commander attacked on 31 March and pushed the British forces, including the 20th Brigade back. The 9th Division made a stand at Tobruk where the famous siege began on Good Friday, 11 March 1941.
The citation in the London Gazette of 1 July, 1941, gave the following details:
"On the night of 13th-14th April, 1941, a party of German infantry broke through the wire defences of Tobruk, and established themselves with numerous machine guns, mortars and field pieces. Led by an officer, Corporal Edmondson and five privates carried out a bayonet charge upon them under heavy fire. Although wounded in the neck and stomach Corporal Edmondson not only killed one of the enemy, but went to the assistance of his officer, who was attacked by a German from behind while bayoneting another who had seized him about the legs. Despite his wounds, from which he later died, Corporal Edmondson succeeded in killing these two Germans also, thus undoubtedly saving his officer's life. Throughout the operation he showed outstanding resolution and leadership, and conspicuous bravery."
Edmondson died the next day from his wounds and is buried in the Tobruk war cemetery.-
He enlisted in the 2/17th Battalion on 20 May 1940. As he'd already had militia service with the 4th Battalion (the Australian Rifles) he was quickly promoted to corporal and embarked for the Middle East on 19 October 1940.
He was part of the 9th Division which relieved the 6th Division at Marsa Brega. General Rommel, the new German commander attacked on 31 March and pushed the British forces, including the 20th Brigade back. The 9th Division made a stand at Tobruk where the famous siege began on Good Friday, 11 March 1941.
The citation in the London Gazette of 1 July, 1941, gave the following details:
"On the night of 13th-14th April, 1941, a party of German infantry broke through the wire defences of Tobruk, and established themselves with numerous machine guns, mortars and field pieces. Led by an officer, Corporal Edmondson and five privates carried out a bayonet charge upon them under heavy fire. Although wounded in the neck and stomach Corporal Edmondson not only killed one of the enemy, but went to the assistance of his officer, who was attacked by a German from behind while bayoneting another who had seized him about the legs. Despite his wounds, from which he later died, Corporal Edmondson succeeded in killing these two Germans also, thus undoubtedly saving his officer's life. Throughout the operation he showed outstanding resolution and leadership, and conspicuous bravery."
Edmondson died the next day from his wounds and is buried in the Tobruk war cemetery.-