Distinguished Conduct Medal : Private A Woodhead, 2 Battalion, AIF

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

3971 Lance Corporal Arthur Woodhead was born near Sheffield in England on 22 April 1896. He moved to Sydney with his parents when he was 13 and was working as a labourer when he enlisted in the AIF on 12 August 1915. Serving with 2 Battalion on the Western Front, Woodhead was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal (DCM) for his gallantry on 7 October 1917. This award was published in the London Gazette on 4 March 1918. The recommendation put forward by his commanding officer reads 'During the enemy counter attack on our position EAST of YPRES on Oct 7th these two men were Nos 1 & 2 of a Lewis gun team with a limited field of fire. The enemy's advancing infantry had reached to within 50 yards of our line when Ptes WOODHEAD and PETTIT sprang out of their trench and standing on the parapet in full view of the enemy Woodhead fired the gun resting it on Pettit's shoulder and continued to do so until the remnants of the attacking lines returned and they were ordered back into the trench. By their prompt & gallant action they were able to inflict severe casualties on the enemy and contributed largely to the defeat of his attack.' Private Pettit was also awarded the DCM. Woodhead was later killed by a shell while on duty at a water point at Spoil Bank near Ypres on 28 March 1918. At the time he was serving with 9 Platoon, C Company of his battalion. He was buried at the Ridge Wood Military Cemetery in Belgium.