Corporal Geoffrey John Walter Bingham

Depicts a portrait of Corporal Geoffrey John Walter Bingham (NX51770), DCM, 8 Division signals. Taken prisoner-of-war by the Japanese at Singapore.

Bingham was awarded his Distinguished Conduct Medal along with 5 other soldiers for bravery during the Malaya campaign. The wireless detachment that Bingham was in charge of became cut off for 5 days when the brigade was overwhelmed by superior enemy forces. Two AIF battalions went forward to re-establish the situation. Throughout this action Bingham and Signaller Maxwell Alfred Benoit (VX32772) operated their set continuously under heavy fire and air attacks improvising equipment to ensure communication was maintained. Their efforts enabling command to gain valuable information and continue to transmit orders and instructions. Benoit was wounded 3 times and remained at his post to assist Bingham. He was awarded the Military Medal for his courage under fire. The bravery awards were announced in Australian newspapers on 10th March 1942.

Bingham survived the war and was discharged on 27th November 1945.