Victoria Cross : Sergeant John James Dwyer, 4 Machine Gun Company, AIF

Victoria Cross. Engraved reverse suspender with recipient's details; reverse cross with date of action.

John James 'Jack' Dwyer was born at Lovett (now Cygnet) Tasmania on 9 March 1890. He enlisted in early 1915 and served on Gallipoli with the 15th Battalion. In 1916 he went to France with the 4th Machine Gun Company.

The next year, during the battle of Polygon Wood, Dwyer's Vickers machine-gun team came under fire until he rushed his gun forward, and at point-blank range put the enemy gun out of action. He then took both weapons and helped repulse a German counter-attack.

Later, after his Vickers was blown up by shellfire, he led his team back through the enemy barrage to secure another and then bring it into action. At all times, he showed 'contempt of danger, cheerfulness and courage'. For his actions he was awarded the Victoria Cross. The recommendation for the award reads:

'During the attack made by this Brigade on the morning of the 26th September 1917 near ZONNEBEKE this N.C.O. was in charge of a Vickers Machine Gun and he went forward with the first wave of the Brigade. On reaching the final objective Sergeant DWYER rushed his gun forward in advance of the captured position in order to obtain a commanding position. Whilst advancing he noticed an enemy machine gun firing on to the troops on our right flank and causing casualties. Unhesitatingly he rushed his gun forward to within thirty yards of the enemy gun and fired point blank at it, putting it out of action and killing the gun crew. He then seized the gun and, totally ignoring the snipers from the rear of the enemy positions, carried it back across the shell swept ground to our front line and established both it and his Vickers gun on the right flank of our Brigade. Sergeant DWYER commanded these guns with utter coolness, and when the enemy counter attacked our positions he rendered great assistance in repulsing them. On the following day our position was heavily shelled, and Sergeant DWYER took up successive positions. On one occasion his Vickers Gun was blown up by shell fire and he conducted his gun team back to Headquarters through the enemy barrage, secured one of the reserve guns and rushed it back to our positions in the shortest possible time.
During the whole of the attack he displayed extreme coolness, and his contempt of all danger and his cheerfulness and courage raised the spirits and admiration of all who was in his Sector of the line.
He is recommended for the Victoria Cross.'

Dwyer was commissioned second lieutenant in May 1918 and returned to Australia five months later. Back in Tasmania, he became active in local affairs and politics. He established a sawmilling business at New Norfolk. In 1931 he entered state parliament and eventually held several important offices, including that of deputy premier. He died on 17 January 1962.

Dwyer's Victoria Cross is accompanied by service medals for the First World War and coronation medals for King George VI and Queen Elizabeth II.