Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A superb Great War 1918 Battle of Hamel ‘V.C. action’ D.C.M., 1917 ‘Battle of Arras’ M.M. and ‘Battle of Polygon Wood’ Second Award Bar group of five awarded to Company Sergeant Major, later Second Lieutenant, W. R. Rogers, 16th Australian Infantry Battalion, Australian Imperial Force, who was killed in action on the Somme, 8 August 1918

Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R. (2699 C.S. Mjr: W. R. Rogers M.M. 16/Aust: Inf:); Military Medal, G.V.R., with Second Award Bar (2699 Pte. W. R. Rogers. 16/Aust: Inf:); 1914-15 Star (2699 Pte. W. R. Rogers. 16/Bn. A.I.F.); British War and Victory Medals (2-Lieut. W. R. Rogers A.I.F.) mounted for wear, extremely fine (5) £6,000-£8,000

D.C.M. London Gazette 30 October 1918:

‘For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty during an attack. Owing to the delay caused by the enemy machine gun posts, the barrage kept getting ahead of the infantry. This warrant officer constantly went from end to end of his company and backwards and forwards from the barrage curtain to where men were being delayed, bringing them forward again. His quick insight and ability greatly contributed to the success of the operation.’

The original recommendation states:

‘This Warrant Officer is again brought to notice for his gallantry and devotion to duty during the operations against Vaire and Hamel Woods, east of Corbie, on the morning of the 4th July 1918. This wood, Vaire, was a centre of strong resistance, and the necessity for dealing with the succession of machine gun posts produced the result that the barrage kept ahead of our Infantry lines. This Warrant Officer appreciated the situation, and with entire disregard for his personal safety, constantly went from end to end of his Company, and backwards and forwards from the barrage curtain to where men were being delayed, and again bringing them forward.

His quickness at appreciating the situation and his gallantry in putting matters right undoubtedly very largely contributed to the success of the operation.

He is very strongly recommended for high distinction.’

M.M. London Gazette 18 June 1917. The original recommendation states:

‘[Rogers] Is brought to notice for the splendid fighting qualities he displayed in the advance to the Hindenburg Line in front of Reincourt on the morning of the 11th April 1917, and subsequently in the bomb fights which took place after a footing had been obtained there, and later when the supply of bombs was practically exhausted and the situation was becoming desperate, he went over the top under a most withering fire from machine guns and collected bombs from the pockets of the dead men who were lying among the wire. This act of extraordinary gallantry was repeated on a number of occasions. He is strongly recommended for distinction.’

M.M. Second Award Bar London Gazette 17 December 1917. The original recommendation states:

‘This non-commissioned officer is brought under notice for his gallantry and valuable work during the operations near Zonnebeke on the 26th September 1917. In the early stages of the attack his Platoon Commander was killed. He at once took command and with fine courage and excellent leadership led the platoon. His platoon carried out the whole duty allotted to it. It is due to his quick organising ability and great coolness under heavy shell fire that he got his men in hand and dug in in the minimum of time. When the position was a little obscure on the left flank during the period when a very heavy barrage had been placed down on our line, he personally carried out a daring reconnaissance and so cleared up the situation and obtained touch with the flank unit. He once again maintained the high standard of efficiency and courage which has already won for him the Military Medal. He is strongly recommended for high distinction.’

William Richard Rogers was born Brighton, Victoria, in 1888, and enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force, at Perth, Western Australia, 19 June 1915. He served with the 16th Australian Infantry Battalion as part of the 4th Australian Brigade, 4th Australian Division in the French theatre of war.

Rogers was awarded the M.M. for his gallantry during the first attack in and around Bullecourt, 11 April 1917, as part of the Battle of Arras. The Battalion War Diary records that the attack commenced at 4.45am, and by:

‘11.20am Lieutenant Aarons came back reporting situation very serious, both flanks being bombed back; supply S.A.A. and bombs almost expended and only 25% of personnel left. Proposed to fall back to line of shell holes out in front, out of bomb range and hang on there until night.

11.30am Sgt. Boland of FAD reported supply of bombs absolutely used up, and Brigade on left retiring. Having lost about 80% of strength, and supply of bombs and S.A.A. being expended, FACE at 11.45am was compelled to retire to original line held....

About 17 Officers and 700 other ranks actually went into the attack and only 3 Officers and 87 other ranks got back again.’

A few months later Rogers distinguished himself again, this time at Ypres as part of the 4th Division’s attack during the Battle of Polygon Wood, 26-27 September 1917. Having secured a Second Award Bar to his M.M., Rogers was to the fore once again during the Battle of Hamel, Somme, 4 July 1918. The 16th Battalion were tasked with the assault and capture of Hamel and Vaire Woods, and the heavily fortified trench position known as “Kidney” trench. Taking heavy fire, the Battalion’s lead company lost it’s commander and senior N.C.O. early in the assault, leading to the falter of the advance.

Lance-Corporal T. Axford, of the 16th Battalion, charged and threw bombs amongst the enemy gun crews. He then jumped into the trench, and charging with his bayonet, killed 10 of the enemy and took six prisoners. He threw the machine-guns over the parapet and the delayed platoon was able to advance. He then rejoined his own platoon and fought with it during the remainder of the operations. The Battalion went on to capture Hamel and Vaire Woods, with Axford being awarded the Victoria Cross and Rogers the D.C.M. for their respective gallantry during the assault. The Battalion suffered casualties of 2 Officers and 11 other ranks killed, and 3 Officers and 62 other ranks wounded.

Rogers was commissioned Second Lieutenant with the 16th Battalion, 17 July 1918. He was killed in action, 8 August 1918, as a letter to his widow states:

‘He was killed in action by shell fire on 8th August 1918, near Morcourt (Somme), death being instantaneous.’

The Battalion War Diary gives the following:

‘This morning the Battalion actively participated in the Somme Offensive, extending over a frontage of approximately 20 miles, and carried out by Australian, Canadian, and British troops, operating on separate and defined sectors, but in conjunction.... Australians, and particularly the fighting men of Australia, will remember the battle for a grander reason. It was the first time that the whole of the Australian Infantry Battalions advanced together over the same battlefield, shoulder to shoulder as it were, to win through or die for the honour of “Australia, the Empire and our cause.”

The attack was successful, with gains being made across a large frontage. Second Lieutenant Rogers was buried near to where he fell, only to be re-interred at a later date in Heath Cemetery, Harbonnieres, Somme.