Military Cross : Lieutenant L A McCartin, 22 Battalion, AIF

Military Cross (Geo V). Engraved reverse with recipient's details.

Lieutenant Leo Aloysius McCartin, a draper from Geelong, Victoria, was born in August 1894 and enlisted as a private in the AIF on 13 March 1915 with the number 517. He served with 22 Battalion at Gallipoli and then on the Western Front. He was promoted to Second Lieutenant on 14 August 1916 and on 9 April 1918 participated in an action at Lavieville for which he was awarded the Military Cross. He was killed by a sniper on 18 August 1918 after the action at Herleville. The official history states that McCartin, in charge of a company of 22 Bn, was wounded in the head when running back to the support company's headquarters to report the situation. Instructed to retire from the fighting McCartin instead headed back to his men and was killed on the way. He was buried close to where he fell and his name is recorded on the memorial at Villers-Bretonneux. The citation for his Military Cross reads 'For very conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty at LAVIEVILLE on the morning of 9.4.18 when in charge of the Battalion Signals. At dawn the enemy opened an intense and heavy bombardment and all telephone wires to the firing line were immediately cut. This Officer without hesitation collected a party of runners and others in a trench and led them over the open to a point where he endeavoured to establish a lamp station. Failing in this owing to a fog and the heavy smoke of the bursting shells he pushed on across the bombarded and shell swept zone and repaired the wires running to the firing line. He there remained regardless of personal risk and kept these lines in order thus enabling his Commanding Officer to keep in touch with the most advanced outposts throughout and to keep conversant with the situation. This Officer's bravery, coolness, and prompt action under circumstances of great danger set a splendid example to all ranks.'

• 1914-15 Star : Private L A McCartin, 22 Battalion, AIF
• British War Medal 1914-20 : Lieutenant L A McCartin, 22 Battalion, AIF
• Victory Medal : Lieutenant L A McCartin, 22 Battalion, AIF