George Julian Howell
Corporal, 1st Battalion (New South Wales) Australian Imperial Force
- Register No.
- 600 (Alf's numbering, from The Register of the Victoria Cross, 1997)
- Rank
- Corporal all Corporals →
- Unit
- 1st Battalion (New South Wales) Australian Imperial Force (register: 1st Battalion, AIF) all AIF VCs →
- Date of action
- 6 May 1917 on this day → all of 1917 →
- Conflict / campaign
- First World War
- London Gazette
- 27th June 1917 on this day → all of 1917 →
- Born
- 23rd November, 1893 at Enfield, Sydney, New South Wales,
- Died
- 23rd December, 1964 at Perth, Western Australia
- Memorial / grave
- Karrakatta Cemetery, Hollywood, Perth and on the Australian War Memorial, Canberra, Australia
Digest of citation
On 6th May 1917, near Bullecourt, France, seeing that a party of the enemy were likely to outflank his battalion, Corporal Howell, on his own initiative and exposed to heavy bomb and rifle fire, climbed to the top of the Parapet and bombed the enemy, pressing them back along the trench. When his stock a bombs were exhausted, he continued the attack with his bayonet, but was then severely wounded. This prompt and gallant action was seen by the whole battalion and inspired them in the subsequent successful counter-attack
From Alf Askin's research notes
Reproduced as Alf wrote it, c. 2000–2005. Spelling and abbreviations are his own.
HOWELL, George Julian. (reg No. 600).
Corporal. 1st Battalion (New South Wales) Australian Imperial Force.
London Gazetted on 27th June 1917.
Born on 23rd November, 1893 at Enfield, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
Died on 23rd December, 1964 at Perth, Western Australia.
Memorials at Karrakatta Cemetery, Hollywood, Perth and on the Australian War Memorial, Canberra, Australia.
Digest of Citation reads: On 6th May 1917, near Bullecourt, France, seeing that a party of the enemy were likely to outflank his battalion, Corporal Howell, on his own initiative and exposed to heavy bomb and rifle fire, climbed to the top of the Parapet and bombed the enemy, pressing them back along the trench. When his stock a bombs were exhausted, he continued the attack with his bayonet, but was then severely wounded. This prompt and gallant action was seen by the whole battalion and inspired them in the subsequent successful counter-attack.
Additional information:. Staff Sergeant Howell also held the Military Medal (MM).
Additional information
Staff Sergeant Howell also held the Military Medal (MM).
Australia.
Visit the grave or memorial
Alf recorded the memorial as: Karrakatta Cemetery, Hollywood, Perth and on the Australian War Memorial, Canberra, Australia
Map links open a search for the place name Alf recorded; please check opening times and exact locations before travelling. Many VC graves have since been restored by the Victoria Cross Trust.
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