George Cartwright

Advanced alone to silence the gun and capture nine prisoners

George Cartwright was born in South Kensington, London, on 9 December 1894. He emigrated to Australia in 1912 and worked as a labourer near Inverell, New South Wales. In December 1915 he enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force, joining the 33rd Battalion. He reached France in November 1916.

Cartwright was wounded at Messines in June 1917 and gassed near Villers-Bretonneux in April 1918. After recovering, he returned to his battalion for the Allied advance across the Somme. On 31 August 1918, at Road Wood near Bouchavesnes, German machine-gun fire stopped two Australian companies. Private Cartwright advanced alone, firing his rifle as he closed on the position. He killed three members of the gun crew, threw a grenade into the post, then rushed it and captured the weapon and nine prisoners. His initiative enabled the advance to resume and earned the Victoria Cross.

His service continued after that action. Wounded again in the head and arm during the September fighting, he was evacuated to England and received his VC from King George V. He returned to Australia and left the AIF in 1919.

Cartwright settled in Sydney, worked as a motor mechanic and continued serving in the Citizen Military Forces. He married Elsie Broker in 1921; they had two children before later divorcing. Commissioned in the Militia in February 1932, he returned to full-time military duty during the Second World War. His training and amenities appointments were in Australia. He attained captain and retired in 1946.

He received the Efficiency Decoration in 1955 for his long service.

In civilian life he also worked as an assistant cashier. He married Evelyn Mary Short in Sydney in 1948 and remained involved with the Victoria Cross community. Cartwright died at Gordon, New South Wales, on 2 February 1978. His widow subsequently presented his VC and other medals to the Imperial War Museum.

Victoria Cross citation London Gazette, 14 December 1918, page 14779:

For most conspicuous bravery and devotion to duty on the morning of the 31st August, 1918, during the attack on Road Wood, south-west of Bouchavesnes, near Peronne. When two companies were held up by machine-gun fire from the south-western edge of the wood, without hesitation Pte. Cartwright moved against the gun in a most deliberate manner under intense fire. He shot three of the team, and, having bombed the post, captured the gun and nine enemy. This gallant deed had a most inspiring effect on the whole line, which immediately rushed forward. Throughout the operation Pte. Cartwright displayed wonderful dash, grim determination, and courage of the highest order.