1914-15 Star : Lieutenant W J Symons, 7 Battalion, AIF

1914-15 Star. Impressed on reverse with recipient's details.

William John Symons was born on 10 July 1889 at Eaglehawk near Bendigo, Victoria to William Sampson and Mary Emma (nee Manning) Symons. He was educated at Eaglehawk State School. In 1906, two years after the death of his father, the family moved to Brunswick, Melbourne where he was employed as a commercial traveller. He had a keen interest in the military, serving in the 5th Australian Infantry Regiment and the 60th Infantry for eight years prior to the First World War. Symons enlisted in the AIF on 17 August 1914 at Carlton in the newly formed 7 Battalion(7Bn), which formed part of the 2nd Infantry Brigade (2 Bde). Initially posted as private, with service number 174, he was promoted to colour sergeant within two days of enlistment. The battalion embarked aboard HMAT A20 Hororata from Port Melbourne on 19 October 1914, bound for Egypt. Symons was promoted to acting regimental quartermaster sergeant on 9 April 1915 and 16 days later, on 25 April, landed with the battalion as part of the second wave at Anzac Cove, Gallipoli. He was promoted the following day to second lieutenant. On 6 May the battalion was moved to Cape Helles as part of 2 Bde to take part in the Second Battle of Krithia. Symons was promoted to lieutenant on 2 July. On 8 August, during the Battle for Lone Pine, Symons successfully recaptured Jacob's Trench in the face of determined resistance. During the battle he was wounded when a bullet hit his rifle, shattering it and sending shards of the barrel into his left hand. For his actions in recapturing the trench he was awarded the Victoria Cross. Later in August, Symons contracted enteric fever and was eventually invalided to London to convalesce. In 1916 Symons returned to Australia on leave for three months on the SS Arawa. Instead of returning to 7 Bn, he was made a Captain in the newly formed 37 Battalion. The battalion left for England on 3 June 1916 aboard HMAT A34 Parsic, arriving there on 25 July. On 22 November, following a period of training in England, the battalion embarked for France. .In February 1917 a special composite battalion was formed from elements of 37 and 38 Battalions, with Symons in command of D 'raiding' company. After what was termed the 'Big Raid', Symons' company was singled out for particular commendation for their actions in overcoming strong enemy resistance. During the raid Symons received a wound to the hand. In May, Symons was lucky to escape death when two shells hit his dugout. On 7 June, during the battle of Messines in Belgium, he was badly wounded in a German mustard gas attack and was sent back to England to recover, returning to his unit in January 1918. The battalion moved to the Somme in March in response to the German Army's Spring Offensive. In June Symons returned to England to attend training courses, but in August the Australian Government announced that he, together with thirteen other VC recipients, were returning home on leave. On 15 August Symons married Isobel Anna Hockley. The following day the couple left for Australia arriving there on 11 October. One month later the war ended. Symon's military appointment was terminated on 7 December 1918. He continued to serve as a captain in the militia before being transferred to the reserve list in July 1922. He and his wife returned to England and settled at Kenton, Hampshire. Symons enjoyed post-war success in business where he served on the board of several companies. During the Second World War he was given command of 12 Bn, Leicestershire Home Guard with the rank of lieutenant colonel. In the New Year's list of 1944 he was made a Member of the Order of the British Empire. Symons died on 24 June 1948 in London.