Private Richard Kelliher, Australian Military Forces, was awarded the Victoria Cross. During an attack by this soldier’s platoon on an enemy position at Nadzab, New Guinea, on the morning of September 13th, 1943, the platoon came under heavy fire from a concealed enemy machine-gun post approximately 50 yards away. Five of the platoon were killed and three wounded, and it was found impossible to advance without further losses. In the face of these casualties Private Kelliher, suddenly on his own initiative and without orders, dashed towards the post and hurled two grenades at it, killing some of the enemy, but not all. Noting this, he then returned to his section, seized a Bren gun, again dashed forward to within 30 yards of the post, and with accurate fire completely silenced it. Returning from his already gallant action Private Kelliher next requested permission to go forward again and rescue his wounded section leader. This he successfully accomplished, though under heavy fire from another position. Private Kelliher, by these actions, acted as an inspiration to everyone in his platoon, and not only enabled the advance to continue, but also saved his section leader’s life. His most conspicuous bravery and extreme devotion to duty in the face of heavy enemy fire resulted in the capture of this strong enemy position. Private Richard Kelliher was born at Ballybeggan, Tralee, Co. Kerry, and went to Australia 12 years ago. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_Kelliher http://www.awm.gov.au/atwar/remembering1942/kelliher/index.asp http://adbonline.anu.edu.au/biogs/A140697b.htm http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/documentsonline/details-result.asp?Edoc_Id=7500301&queryType=1&resultcount=1 Medal listing of Kelliher, Richard Rank: Private Regiment: Australian Military Forces Date of Act Of Bravery: 13 September 1943 Campaign: 1939-1945 War Locale: Nadzab, New Guinea Date 1900 Feb 02 - 1944 Sep 01 Catalogue reference WO 98/8 London Gazette: 28 December 1943 Gazette Website: PDF Navigator See this thread for ref: http://www.ww2talk.com/forum/research-material/19413-volunteers-eire-who-have-won-distinctions.html#post195852 :irishflag[1]:
Pte Richard Kelliher enlisted in the AIF on the 21/02/1941 and served in Syria with the 2/25th Bde. Interestingly he was found guilty on the 27/03/1942 of " misbehaving before the enemy in such a manner as to show cowardice" for an incident in Gona PNG and given 12 mths detention. This was quashed on the 31/05/1943. 4 months later he won his VC. Died in Melbourne 28/12/1963. The AMF (Australian Military Forces) was the regular army and militia and the AIF was formed for overseas service, two armies basically. Information from " Victoria Cross- Australia's Finest and the Battles They Fought" Spider
From The Times, Saturday, May 10, 1941 MIDDLE EAST AWARDS GALLANT SERVICE RECOGNIZED The War Office has issued a description of some of the deeds for which these awards were made. The following are a few typical episodes: - CAPTAIN N.A. VICKERY, AUSTRALIAN MILITARY FORCES, M.C. Captain Vickery was travelling in a Bren carrier as forward observing officer when he found himself in the rear of an enemy field battery which was engaging our troops. The battery was defended by an infantry garrison heavily armed with machine guns and anti-tank rifles, but he attacked without hesitation and both battery and garrison surrendered. He continued throughout the battle to move up with our advanced troops and sent back valuable information about the progress of the engagement. The National Archives | DocumentsOnline | Image Details Name Vickery, Norman Alfred Rank: Captain Service No: NX130 Regiment: 2/1 Australian Field Regiment Theatre of Combat or Operation: Middle East (Egypt and Libya) Award: Military Cross Date of Announcement in London Gazette: 09 May 1941 Date 1940-1941 Catalogue reference WO 373/17 The National Archives | DocumentsOnline | Image Details Name Vickery, Norman Alfred Rank: Major Service No: NX130 Regiment: Australian Military Forces Theatre of Combat or Operation: South-West Pacific Award: Member of the British Empire Date of Announcement in London Gazette: 19 July 1945 Date 1943-1946 Catalogue reference WO 373/87 Warrant Officer Cl. II W.H. STENNING, AUSTRALIAN MILITARY FORCES, D.C.M. During an attack W. Off. Stenning took command of a platoon whose commander and platoon sergeant had been wounded. When the company was held up by tanks, he went forward with an anti-tank rifle alone in the face of heavy fire from the tanks and artillery and silence five tanks and captured their crews. Later in the day the platoon became detached from the rest of the company and was attacked by three medium tanks. Under the leadership of W. Off. Stenning, who was wounded during the engagement, the platoon held its ground and put the tanks out of action. Warrant Officer Stenning showed conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty, and his example was an inspiration to the men under his command. The National Archives | DocumentsOnline | Image Details Name Stenning, William Henry Rank: Warrant Officer Class 2 Service No: VX 1883 Regiment: 2/8 Battalion Australian Imperial Forces Theatre of Combat or Operation: Middle East (Egypt and Libya) Award: Distinguished Conduct Medal Date of Announcement in London Gazette: 09 May 1941 Date 1940-1941 Catalogue reference WO 373/17 SIGNALMAN K.R. CLIFT, AUSTRALIAN MILITARY FORCES, D.C.M. Signalman Clift was in charge of a line party which became detached from the battalion and came suddenly upon an enemy battery firing into the rear of our troops. He immediately gave the order to attack and the party advanced firing with two pistols, their only weapons. When they were within 50 yards the battery commander ordered his men to cease fire and held up a white flag. Under the direction of Signalman Clift the party then disarmed the enemy and marched them to a column of prisoners. It was entirely due to the dash and presence of mind of this soldier that the battery was eliminated. The National Archives | DocumentsOnline | Image Details Name Clift, Kenneth Rochester Rank: Signalman Service No: NX 3698 Regiment: "J" Section Signals Theatre of Combat or Operation: Middle East (Egypt and Libya) Award: Distinguished Conduct Medal Date of Announcement in London Gazette: 09 May 1941 Date 1940-1941 Catalogue reference WO 373/17 [Please note that these men are not part of the Volunteers from Eire list]
From The Times, Saturday, May 10, 1941 MIDDLE EAST AWARDS GALLANT SERVICE RECOGNIZED The War Office has issued a description of some of the deeds for which these awards were made. The following are a few typical episodes: - The National Archives | DocumentsOnline | Image Details Name Clift, Kenneth Rochester Rank: Signalman Service No: NX 3698 Regiment: "J" Section Signals Theatre of Combat or Operation: Middle East (Egypt and Libya) Award: Distinguished Conduct Medal Date of Announcement in London Gazette: 09 May 1941 Date 1940-1941 Catalogue reference WO 373/17 [Please note that these men are not part of the Volunteers from Eire list] Ken CLIFT is still alive and kicking, spoke to him last time a few months ago. Couple of his books are "Saga of a Sig" and "The Soldier Who Never Grew Up" Both mine are personalised. spider
Ken CLIFT is still alive and kicking, spoke to him last time a few months ago. Couple of his books are "Saga of a Sig" and "The Soldier Who Never Grew Up" Both mine are personalised. spider Thanks Spider, A very brave man; any more info about him would be appreciated. A photo? d
They would be in the National Archives. He describes his service in his two books and was later Commissioned (Lieutenant) and with the 1st Aust Parachute Battalion. Sailed with the first convoy with the 2nd AIF (6th Aust Div Sigs) and saw service in Palestine, Egypt, Bardia, Tobruk, Greece & Crete, Syria, Ceylon and the Kokoda Trail. Spider
