George Cross : Private H W Madden, 3rd Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment

George Cross. Engraved reverse with recipient's details.

Horace William 'Slim' Madden was born on 14 February 1924 at Cronulla, New South Wales. He served during the Second World War and with the British Commonwealth Occupation Forces in Japan before joining the 3rd Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment in Korea in November 1950. He was captured during the battle of Kapyong on 24 April 1951.

During captivity, brutality and malnutrition soon affected Madden's health, but not his spirit. He refused to cooperate and suffered repeatedly at the hands of his captors. Even as his health suffered, what little he had he shared with other sick prisoners. By October he was too weak to walk and died soon afterwards. For his conduct as a prisoner of war, Madden was awarded a posthumous George Cross, the highest decoration to an Australian in the Korean War. The citation for the award reads:

'Private Madden was captured by Chinese Communist Forces on 24th April 1951 near Kapyong. He was a signaller attached to Battalion Headquarters at the time and received concussion prior to capture.

Private Madden was held prisoner by the enemy until about 6th November 1951, when he died of malnutrition and the result of ill-treatment. During this period he openly resisted all enemy efforts to force him to collaborate, to such a degree that his name and example were widely known through the various groups of prisoners. Testimonials have been provided by officers and men from many units of the Commonwealth and Allied Forces which show that the heroism he displayed was quite outstanding.

Despite repeated beatings and many other forms of ill-treatment inflicted because of his defiance to his captors, Private Madden remained cheerful and optimistic. Although deprived of food because of his behaviours, resulting in severe malnutrition, he was known to share his meagre supplies, purchased from Koreans, with other prisoners who were sick.

It would have been apparent to Private Madden that to pursue this course must eventually result in his death. This did not deter him, and for over six months, although becoming progressively weaker, he remained undaunted in his resistance. He would in no way co-operate with the enemy.

This gallant soldier’s outstanding heroism was an inspiration to all his fellow prisoners.’

Madden’s George Cross is accompanied by service medals for the Second World War and the Korean War.