Citation A L'Ordre de L'Armee : Sergeant J W Scott, AIF

Place Europe: Western Front
Accession Number REL30285
Collection type Heraldry
Object type Heraldry
Physical description Paper
Maker Unknown
Place made France
Date made c 1919
Conflict First World War, 1914-1918
Description

Citation A L'Ordre de L'Armee with an image of a winged Victory leading French soldiers into battle. Above the scene is a representation of the French Croix de Guerre. Below the scene is a panel, draped in French flags, in which the citation for Sergeant John William Scott is written. The certificate was originally framed with a gold border.

History / Summary

Associated with 2264 Sergeant John William Scott. Scott enlisted in May 1915 and trained as a signaller at Broadmeadows in Melbourne. He sailed to Egypt in September 1915 with 4 Reinforcements, 18 Battalion. In June 1916, on the Western Front, Scott was transferred to 110 Howitzer Battery, 10 Field Artillery Brigade. With the rank of sergeant he was recommended for the French Medaille Militarire, but received the Croix de Guerre in October 1917. The original recommendation reads: 'For conspicuous bravery and devotion to duty - on October 4th 1917 at BROONSENDE [sic] Ridge, East of YPRES, this N.C.O. was in charge of the Specialists who accompanied the Artillery F.O.O. [forward observation officer] during our Infantry attack. In spite of intense shell and machine gun fire he carried out his duties and mainatined visual communication from the Ridge back when all other means failed. His gallant and sterling service was not only of infinite value to the Artillery closely supporting the attack, but set a splendid example to all.' He was also mentioned in dispatches in May 1918. Scott was wounded whilst serving on the Western Front and was hospitalised twice. He received his commission to the rank of lieutenant in 1919 and remained in France with 41 Battalion for demobilisation purposes. He returned to Australia aboard the SS Euripides in October 1919.