Victoria Cross : Corporal John Hurst Edmondson, 2/17 Battalion, AIF

Victoria Cross. Engraved reverse suspender with recipient's details and reverse cross with date of award.

NX15705 Corporal John Hurst Edmondson was born at Wagga Wagga, NSW on 8 October 1914. The only child of Joseph William and Maud Elizabeth Edmondson, John was educated at Hurlstone Agricultural High School. He was a farmer in the Liverpool area before his enlistment into the 2/17th Infantry Battalion (2/17Bn), part of 20 Brigade (20Bde), at Paddington on 20 May 1940. Due to his previous militia service with 4 Battalion (Australian Rifles), he was promptly appointed to the rank of corporal. On 20 October 1940, the battalion sailed from Sydney on HT 'Queen Mary', arriving in Palestine, via Fremantle and India, on 25 November. En route 20Bde was transferred from the 7th Division to the newly formed 9th Division.

In March 1941, 9 Division relieved 6 Division in Libya. As a result, on 9 March, 2/17Bn relieved 2/7Bn at Marsa Brega, Cyrenaica, east of Tripoli. Later that month German forces arrived at Tripoli to join the Italians in a major offensive against the Allies. On 31 March, the Axis forces led by General Erwin Rommel, attacked, forcing the allied army into retreat. 9 Division fell back to Tobruk, determined to dig in and resist the enemy's charge. Rommel's 242-day assault on the besieged Tobruk Fortress began on Good Friday, 11 April.

During the 'Easter Battle' of the 13th, the enemy attacked close to Edmondson's post, R33, west of the El Adem Road. The Germans pushed through the wire defences in an attempt to capture and hold a bridgehead for a tank assault on the fortress, as the use of tanks in providing overwhelming infantry access had proved a successful tactic throughout the German campaign. A German infantry detail proceeded to set up machine gun and mortar posts within the Australian breached wire defences.

At first, Lieutenant Mackell, section leader Corporal Edmondson, and privates Grant, Smith, Williams, Keogh and Foster went forward and attempted a flanking manoeuvre to repel the attackers. Mackell's unit was forced to retire when they were spotted and came under machine gun fire, which severely wounded Edmondson in his neck and stomach. A second attempt was made after covering fire was provided from R33. Edmondson, hiding the severity of his wounds, rushed forward with the others. During the skirmish he saved the life of Mackell and accounted for three of the enemy before the remainder fled. He later died of his wounds.

For his actions during the battle he was posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross (VC), the first such award to an Australian in the Second World War. The VC was presented to his mother on 27 September 1941 by the Governor General Lord Gowrie. Lieutenant Mackell was in attendance when Mrs Edmondson presented the VC to the Australian War Memorial in 1960.

The citation for the award reads: 'On the night of 13th-14th April, 1941, a party of German infantry broke through the wire defences of Tobruk, and established themselves with at least six machine guns, mortars and two small field pieces. It was decided to attack them with bayonets, and a party consisting of one officer, Corporal Edmondson and five privates took part in the charge. During the counter-attack, Corporal Edmondson was wounded in the neck and stomach but continued to advance under heavy fire and killed one enemy with his bayonet. Later, his officer had his bayonet in one of the enemy and was grasped about the legs by him, when another attacked him from behind. He called for help, and Corporal Edmondson, who was some yards away, immediately came to his assistance and in spite of his wounds, killed both of the enemy. This action undoubtedly saved the officer's life. Shortly after returning from this successful counter attack, Corporal Edmondson died from his wounds. His actions throughout the operation were outstanding for resolution, leadership and conspicuous bravery.'

Corporal John Hurst Edmondson VC is buried in grave no. 3.J.8 at the Tobruk War Cemetery.