John Alexander French
Corporal, 2nd/9th Battalion (Queensland) Australian Military Forces
- Register No.
- 428 (Alf's numbering, from The Register of the Victoria Cross, 1997)
- Rank
- Corporal all Corporals →
- Unit
- 2nd/9th Battalion (Queensland) Australian Military Forces (register: 2/9th Battalion, AIF) all 2/9th Battalion, AIF VCs →
- Date of action
- 4 September 1942 on this day → all of 1942 →
- Conflict / campaign
- Second World War
- London Gazette
- 14th January, 1943 on this day → all of 1943 →
- Born
- 15th July 1914, at Crow's Nest, Toowoomba, Queensland,
- Died
- 4th September, 1942 at Milne Bay, Papua, New Guinea
- Award
- Posthumous all posthumous VCs →
- Memorial / grave
- Port Moresby War Cemetery, New Guinea and on the Australian War Memorial, Canberra
Digest of citation
On 4th September, 1942 at Milne Bay, New Guinea, the advance of Corporal French's section was held up by fire from three enemy machine-gun posts, whereupon he ordered the section to take cover, advanced and silenced the first two posts with grenades. He then attacked the third post with a sub-machinegun, and although obviously badly wounded, continued to advance. The enemy guns ceased at fire and the section pushed on to find that all members of their crews had been killed and that Corporal French had Died on in front of the third gun. His courageous action enabled the section to complete its task
From Alf Askin's research notes
Reproduced as Alf wrote it, c. 2000–2005. Spelling and abbreviations are his own.
FRENCH, John Alexander. ( reg No. 428).
Corporal. 2nd/9th Battalion (Queensland) Australian Military Forces.
London Gazetted on 14th January, 1943.
Born on 15th July 1914, at Crow's Nest, Toowoomba, Queensland, Australia.
Died on 4th September, 1942 at Milne Bay, Papua, New Guinea. (killed in action).
Memorials at Port Moresby War Cemetery, New Guinea and on the Australian War Memorial, Canberra.
Digest of Citation reads: On 4th September, 1942 at Milne Bay, New Guinea, the advance of Corporal French's section was held up by fire from three enemy machine-gun posts, whereupon he ordered the section to take cover, advanced and silenced the first two posts with grenades. He then attacked the third post with a sub-machinegun, and although obviously badly wounded, continued to advance. The enemy guns ceased at fire and the section pushed on to find that all members of their crews had been killed and that Corporal French had Died on in front of the third gun. His courageous action enabled the section to complete its task.
Australia.
(killed in action).
Visit the grave or memorial
Alf recorded the memorial as: Port Moresby War Cemetery, New Guinea and on the Australian War Memorial, Canberra
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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