George Mawby Ingram

Rushed enemy posts and rallied his men under fire in France.

George Mawby Ingram was born at Bagshot near Bendigo, Victoria, on 18 March 1889, to farmer George Ronald Ingram and Charlotte, formerly Hubbard. He attended Seville State School, trained as a carpenter and joiner, and worked in Caulfield, Melbourne. In 1910 he married Jane Francis Nichols. From 1905 to 1914 he served in the militia's Australian Garrison Artillery.

Ingram enlisted in the 3rd Battalion, Australian Naval and Military Expeditionary Force, on 10 December 1914. He served in New Guinea before joining the Australian Imperial Force in January 1916. Sent overseas with reinforcements for the 24th Battalion, he joined the unit in France in January 1917. On the night of 15-16 March, near Bapaume, he helped a bombing section resist superior numbers of German grenade throwers. With two others, he then covered the section's withdrawal. His courage earned the Military Medal.

During 1917 Ingram advanced through the non-commissioned ranks to company sergeant major, despite repeated hospitalisation. Both his brothers died during the war: Alexander with the Australian forces and Ronald with the New Zealand forces. Ingram was commissioned a second lieutenant on 20 June 1918. Another illness briefly interrupted his service before he returned to his battalion in July.

On 5 October 1918, during the attack on Montbrehain, France, Ingram's platoon encountered a strongpoint that stopped its advance. He led his men forward and captured nine machine guns after fierce resistance. Later, when the company suffered heavy casualties and lost several leaders, he rallied the survivors under intense fire and continued the attack. He personally rushed another post and captured its machine gun. Further assaults on enemy positions produced 62 prisoners. His repeated initiative and leadership earned the Victoria Cross, the last awarded for an Australian action in the First World War.

Promoted lieutenant on 24 October, Ingram returned to Melbourne in April 1919 and resumed civilian employment as a building foreman. He also farmed. His first marriage ended in 1926, and he married Lillian Wakeling the following year. He later served as a police guard at Melbourne's Shrine of Remembrance.

Ingram returned to military service on 17 November 1939. During the Second World War he served with the Royal Australian Engineers and reached captain. His final posting was the 5th Workshop and Park Company, and he was discharged on 6 May 1944. After Lillian died in 1951, he married Myrtle Lydia Thomas. In 1956 he travelled to London with fellow Australian Victoria Cross recipients for the award's centenary celebrations. He died at Hastings, Victoria, in 1961, aged 72, survived by his wife and two sons, and was buried at Frankston Cemetery.

Victoria Cross citation Lt. George Morby Ingram, M.M., 24th Bn., A.I.F.

For most conspicuous bravery and initiative during the attack on Montbrehain, east of Peronne, on 5th October, 1918. When early in the advance his platoon was held up by a strong point, Lt. Ingram, without hesitation, dashed out and rushed the post at the head of his men, capturing nine machine guns and killing 42 enemy after stubborn resistance.

Later, when the company had suffered severe casualties from enemy posts, and many leaders had fallen, he at once took control of the situation, rallied his men under intense fire, and led them forward. He himself rushed the first post, shot six of the enemy, and captured a machine gun, thus overcoming serious resistance. On two subsequent occasions he again displayed great dash and resource in the capture of enemy posts, inflicting many casualties and taking 62 prisoners.

Throughout the whole day he showed the most inspiring example of courage and leadership, and freely exposed himself regardless of danger.