Special Sub-Topic: Australian Victoria Cross Winners Click Here To Play: Australian Victoria Cross Winners

Private John William Alexander Jackson is currently recognised as the youngest Australian V.C winner. How old was he at the time he won the Victoria Cross?

18 yrs 9 mths. He won his V.C on the night of 25-26 June 1916 France, whilst out gathering wounded soldiers under fire he nearly had his arm blown off, having returned to his lines to gain assistance. He then returned to find those who he had been helping when he was injured, he found one and on return he was treated for his own injuries which resulted in his arm being amputated.

How many Victoria Crosses have been awarded to Australians (by birth or by service with the armed forces)?

96. 6 were won in the Boer War (South Africa 1899-1902), 64 in WW1 (1914-1918), 2 in North Russia(1919), 20 in WW2 (1939-1945), and 4 in Viet Nam (1962-1972).

What rank did the highest ranking Australian V.C winner hold?

Lieutenant-Colonel. Lt-Col C.G.W Anderson was not only the highest ranking V.C winner, but also the oldest, earning his award at 44 yrs 11 mths. He won his V.C whilst leading a Brigade in a fighting withdrawal against the Japanese in Malaya in WW2.

What was unique about the 4 Victoria Cross winners from the Viet Nam War?

They were from the same unit. They were all members of the Australian Army Training Team Viet Nam. Two of the four were posthumous. It is also interesting to note that the first Australian soldier killed in Viet Nam came from the AATTV.

Of the 64 Australian Victoria Crosses won in World War 1, how many were awarded to airmen?

1. Lt. Frank Hubert McNamara, 1st Squadron, Australian Flying Corps, won the only V.C for rescuing a downed pilot by landing his plane under fire and picking him up whilst he himself was wounded. The action occured in Palestine 20 March 1917.

Of the 96 Australian Victoria Crosses won, how many were awarded posthumously?

28. 15 posthumous awards in WW1, 1 posthumous award for North Russia, 10 awards for WW2, and 2 posthumous awards for Viet Nam.

Who won the first Australian Victoria Cross on territory administered by Australia?

Pte B.S Kingsbury. Pte T E Kingsbury won his V.C on 29 Aug 1942 at Isurava (on the Kokoda track, New Guinea), Pte Partridge won his V.C on 24 Jul 1945 at Bonis Peninsula, Bogainville, Pte Kenna won his V.C on the 15 May 1945 near Wewak, New Guinea, and Sgt Derrick won his V.C on 24 Nov 1943 at Sattelberg, New Guinea. Of note is that Pte Kingsbury's V.C was also the first awarded in the South-West Pacific Area.

Captain Neville Howse won Australia's first Victoria Cross. Where did he win it, and what unit did he belong to?

South Africa - N.S.W Army Medical Corps. Capatain Howse won his V.C on 24 Jul 1900, when he rode out under intense fire to rescue a wounded soldier. His horse was shot dead under him, so he continued on foot bringing the soldier back and treating his wounds. He is the only medical person of the Australian Forces to recieve a V.C.

The Battle of Lone Pine, Gallipoli, 7-9 Aug 1915 saw a large number of Victoria Crosses won by Australians. How many?

7. One during the night 7-8, one on the night 8-9, and the remainder on the 9 Aug 1915. The Australians were successful in this battle, which was designed to be a feint.

Members of The Royal Australian Navy have won 4 Victorian Crosses.

f. Although the Australian Navy have had extensive service in operaions it has to date yet to be awarded a Victoria cross. Five members have however been awarded the George Cross "for acts of great heroism of the most conspicuous courage in circumstances of extreme danger".