Robert Beatham

He attacked machine guns until enemy bullets ended his life.

Robert Matthew Beatham was born at Glassonby, Cumberland, on 16 June 1894. He emigrated to Australia as a teenager and worked as a laborer at Geelong before joining the Australian Imperial Force in 1915. He served with the 8th Battalion and was wounded on the Western Front.

On 9 August 1918, north of Rosieres during the Battle of Amiens, machine guns held up the battalion's advance after supporting tanks had been disabled. Beatham, assisted by another soldier, attacked four gun positions with bombs and close fighting. His action killed or captured their crews and allowed the infantry to move forward with fewer casualties.

At the final objective he again attacked a machine gun despite having been wounded. He was killed in the fighting and had no later life. His Victoria Cross was awarded posthumously. He was buried at Heath Cemetery, Harbonnieres, France. The Australian War Memorial preserves his Victoria Cross.

Official Victoria Cross citation

For most conspicuous bravery and self-sacrifice during the attack north of Rosières, east of Amiens, on 9th August, 1918. When the advance was held up by heavy machine-gun fire, Pte. Beatham dashed forward, and, assisted by one man, bombed and fought the crews of four enemy machine guns, killing ten of them and capturing ten others, thus facilitating the advance and saving many casualties. When the final objective was reached, although previously wounded, he again dashed forward and bombed a machine gun, being riddled with bullets and killed in doing so. The valour displayed by this gallant soldier inspired all ranks in a wonderful manner.

Second Supplement to The London Gazette of 13 December 1918. 14 December 1918, Numb. 31067, p. 14779