| Accession Number | P10889.001 |
|---|---|
| Collection type | Photograph |
| Object type | Black & white - Print silver gelatin |
| Maker |
Unknown |
| Place made | Australia: New South Wales, Sydney |
| Date made | 29 March 1927 |
| Conflict |
Period 1920-1929 |
| Copyright |
Item copyright: Copyright expired - public domain
|
Outdoor portrait of the Duke of York during his visit to Government House, Sydney NSW. ...
Description
Outdoor portrait of the Duke of York during his visit to Government House, Sydney NSW. Identified is Major Blair Anderson Wark, VC who is being greeted by the Duke of York. Wark was awarded the Victoria Cross for "most conspicuous bravery, initiative and control" on 29 September - 1 October 1918 between Bellicourt and Joncourt. Maj Wark was leading his command forward under heavy fire, when he noticed an enemy 77mm gun firing on the rear companies. He, along with a few of his men, rushed the enemy post and captured four guns and ten of the crew, moving forward again to capture fifty more Germans near Magny La Fosse. On 1 October 1918, he again rushed enemy machine guns that were causing heavy casualties during the attack. He was awarded the Distinguished Service Order for his work in the attack at Polygon Wood in 1917. His AIF appointment finished on 28 September 1918. During the Second World War he enlisted on 17 April 1940 and was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel before dying suddenly at Puckapunyal Camp, Victoria, on 13 June 1941.