Victoria Cross medal group returns to the Australian War Memorial

The Victoria Cross (VC) medal group of First World War veteran Private Reginald ‘Roy’ Inwood of the 10th Battalion AIF will tomorrow go back on display in the Hall of Valour for the final year of the centenary period.

Private Inwood’s medal group was on display at the Memorial during 2016 before being returned to his place of birth in Adelaide for display during 2017, the centenary year of Inwood’s action.

Director of the Australian War Memorial Dr Brendan Nelson said Private Inwood was awarded the medal for his conspicuous bravery and devotion to duty.

“Private Inwood, or ‘Roy’, as he was known, like all recipients of the Victoria Cross showed incredible courage in the face of great danger,” Dr Nelson said.

“In this the final year of the centenary of the First World War, it is now more important than ever to give Australians and all visitors the opportunity to see the medals and understand the stories of men like Roy Inwood. We give our thanks to the Adelaide City Council for providing that opportunity.”

During the battle of Menin Road, between 19 and 22 September 1917, Inwood moved forward through an artillery barrage and captured an enemy strong post along with nine prisoners.

He gathered intelligence at night far in advance of the Australian lines, and silenced an enemy machine-gun, killing all but one of its operators, whom he brought back as a prisoner along with the gun.

Like many miners from Broken Hill, Inwood enlisted in Adelaide, his city of birth. His brother, Sergeant Robert Minney Inwood, also enlisted, and was killed at Pozières in July 1916 while assisting Arthur Blackburn in the action for which he was awarded the VC.

Another brother, Private Harold Ray Inwood, served in the 43rd Battalion. He was severely wounded during the fighting at Messines on 7 July 1917, effectively ending his active service. After the war he joined the Royal Australian Navy, though his war wounds apparently brought his naval career to a premature end, and he was invalided out in 1924.

The medal group of Private Inwood VC is loaned to the Memorial by the Adelaide City Council. It will be returned to Adelaide in early 2019.

The Victoria Cross is the highest award for acts of bravery in wartime. It was instituted in 1856 by Queen Victoria and is available for any serving member of the armed forces.