Maurice Vincent Buckley

Rushed enemy gun posts and broke resistance with a Lewis gun

Born in Hawthorn, Melbourne, in 1891, he enlisted in 1914 but left a treatment camp after returning ill from Egypt. Re-enlisting as Gerald Sexton in 1916, he joined the 13th Battalion in France. He earned the DCM in August 1918. At Le Verguier on 18 September, he repeatedly attacked gun posts, rushed a field gun and captured prisoners, helping his company advance and consolidate. His VC was awarded under his assumed name, which he corrected in 1919. Discharged that December, he died after a riding accident in January 1921.

Victoria Cross citation: For most conspicuous bravery during the attack near Le Verguier, north-west of St. Quentin, on the 18th September, 1918. During the whole period of the advance, which was very seriously opposed, Sjt. Sexton was to the fore dealing with enemy machine guns, rushing enemy posts, and performing great feats of bravery and endurance without faltering or for a moment taking cover. When the advance had passed the ridge at Le Verguier, Sjt. Sexton’s attention was directed to a party of the enemy manning a bank, and to a field gun causing casualties and holding up a company. Without hesitation, calling to his section to follow, he rushed down the bank and killed the gunners of the field gun. Regardless of machine-gun fire, he returned to the bank, and after firing down some dugouts induced about thirty of the enemy to surrender. When the advance was continued from the first to the second objective the company was again held up by machine guns on the flanks. Supported by another platoon, he disposed of the enemy guns, displaying boldness which inspired all. Later, he again showed the most conspicuous initiative in the capture of hostile posts and machine guns, and rendered invaluable support to his company digging in.