Studio portrait of Second Lieutenant (2nd Lt) Ronald Lacey Fidge, 18th Battalion. A native of ...

Studio portrait of Second Lieutenant (2nd Lt) Ronald Lacey Fidge, 18th Battalion. A native of Plumstead, England, 2nd Lt Fidge was employed as a station hand at Yanco, NSW prior to enlistment. He embarked with the rank of Lance Sergeant with A Company from Sydney on HMAT Ceramic on 25 June 1915. After he reverted to the rank of Private at his own request, he was Mentioned in Despatches, and after being twice wounded in action was awarded the Military Medal "On 27th August 1915 at Hill 60, he held the left flank by bombing during the Turkish counter attack. Fidge was mainly instrumental in preventing the enemy from gaining a footing in the trench. He also in company with three other scouts evaded German listening posts and bombed enemy's working party on their parapet , 6th June 1916." Later he was also awarded the French Croix de Guerre "For conspicuous bravery at Pozieres on the 26th July 1916. Although badly wounded himself, he carried a wounded officer through a heavy barrage to the dressing station. He has repeatedly led patrols and bombing parties to the German wire, showing utter disregarded for danger." After being promoted to 2nd Lieutenant he was wounded in action for the third time and succumbed to these wounds on 21 September 1917, aged 24. He was buried in the Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery, Belgium.