Lawrence Weathers

He used grenades to capture a post and many enemy prisoners.

Lawrence Carthage Weathers was born at Te Kopuru, New Zealand, on 14 May 1890. His family moved to Australia while he was a child. He attended school at Snowtown, South Australia, and worked in rural employment before travelling overseas. Back in Adelaide, he worked as an undertaker and married Annie Watson in September 1913. They had two sons.

He enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force in February 1916 and joined the 43rd Battalion. The battalion reached France late that year. He was wounded during the battle of Messines in June 1917 and suffered from gas poisoning in 1918, returning to duty after treatment.

On 2 September 1918, north of Peronne, heavy fire checked his battalion's advance. Weathers went forward alone with grenades and attacked an enemy post. He then returned for more grenades and led a further attack with several companions. The assaults helped secure approximately 180 prisoners and three machine guns. His conspicuous initiative enabled the Australians to continue their advance.

Later that month the battalion fought against the Hindenburg Line. Weathers was mortally wounded and died on 29 September 1918, before the announcement of his Victoria Cross. He was buried in Unicorn Cemetery at Vendhuile, France.

The award was gazetted after his death. General Sir William Birdwood presented the decoration to his widow at Adelaide in March 1920. His service also brought the British War Medal and Victory Medal. Weathers' name is commemorated in both Australia and New Zealand, reflecting a life begun across the Tasman and ended on the Western Front.

Official Victoria Cross citation

For most conspicuous bravery and devotion to duty on the 2nd September, 1918, north of Peronne, when with an advanced bombing party. The attack having been held up by a strongly held enemy trench, Cpl. Weathers went forward alone under heavy fire and attacked the enemy with bombs. Then, returning to our lines for a further supply of bombs, he again went forward with three comrades, and attacked under very heavy fire. Regardless of personal danger, he mounted the enemy parapet and bombed the trench, and, with the support of his comrades, captured 180 prisoners and three machine guns. His valour and determination resulted in the successful capture of the final objective, and saved the lives of many of his comrades.

Supplement to The London Gazette of 24 December 1918. 26 December 1918, Numb. 31082, p. 15118