Military Medal : Private J V Solomon, 9 Battalion, AIF

Military Medal (Geo V). Impressed around edge with recipient's details.

Awarded to 2870 Private James Varcoe Solomon, born Cornwell, England; enlisted at Brisbane on 21 July 1915 in the 6th Reinforcements of 25 Battalion, AIF, aged 33. Solomon later transferred to 9 Battalion, AIF and served with them until the end of the war. He returned to Australia on 12 April 1919. Solomon was awarded the Military Medal on 18 September 1918 at Villeret, France, for an action which took place during the 1st and 4th Australian Division’s highly successful attack on the Hindenburg Line Outpost Line – a formidable array of prepared barbed wire and trenches protecting the main Hindenburg Line defences to which the Germans had been forced to retreat following the loss of Mont St Quentin and Peronne to Australian infantry. Accompanied by a meticulously prepared and overwhelming artillery and machine gun barrage, tanks and the support of aircraft, the attack was, in the Australian sector, a major success and prepared the ground for the breaking of the Hindenburg Line later in September by British, Australian and American Forces and the ultimate end of the war. Solomon’s Military Medal citation reads: 'At VILLERET on the 18th. September 1918, Pte. SOLOMON while out on a daylight patrol, located an enemy sniper who was inflicting casualties on the front line garrison. On his own initiative, he crawled along and engaged the sniper and killed him. Continuing further he came in contact with three of the enemy who were about to place a machine gun into position. He engaged the crew, killing them all, and bringing the gun back with him. Early in the advance, this soldier was slightly wounded, but carried on volunteering for all work which required great personal courage. The behaviour of this soldier coupled with his great adaptability to all circumstances was an inspiration to all ranks '. Solomon died in 1920 from the effects of gassing received during the war.