21098, Sergeant Earl Richardson DCM MM
9th Field Artillery Brigade
12th Field Artillery Brigade
Awarded Military Medal – 17th June 1919
Awarded Distinguished Conduct Medal – 19th February 1920
‘On the morning of 17 October, 1918, when the enemy were preparing for counter attacks, and his battalion was being heavily shelled, he re-arranged gun crews, and, by his personal gallantry and energy, managed to maintain four guns in action. Again, on the morning of the 18th he, with one gunner, kept his gun in action until the end of the operation. Throughout, he showed great coolness and devotion to duty.’
Australian War Memorial:
c. 1920. Portrait of 21098 Sergeant (Sgt) Earl Richardson DCM MM of the 12th Field Artillery, 45th Battery, AIF, of St George, Qld. Sgt Richardson was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal for showing “great coolness and devotion to duty” on the mornings of 17 and 18 October 1918, while his Battery was under enemy attack. He was also awarded the Military Medal for “consistant good service and devotion to duty, throughout operations at Robecq, Strazelle, and the present Somme operations, from 8 August, 1918, onwards.” This portrait is part of a framed printed wall hanging (held in the Relics collection) which features the full citations and ribbons for both medals. (Donor L. Richardson)
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