John Hurst Edmondson
Corporal, 2nd/ 17th Battalion. Australian Military Forces
- Register No.
- 369 (Alf's numbering, from The Register of the Victoria Cross, 1997)
- Rank
- Corporal all Corporals →
- Unit
- 2nd/ 17th Battalion. Australian Military Forces (register: 9th Division, AIF) all 9th Division, AIF VCs →
- Date of action
- 13–14 April 1941 on this day → all of 1941 →
- Conflict / campaign
- Second World War
- London Gazette
- 4th July 1941 on this day → all of 1941 →
- Born
- 8th October 1914 at Wagga Wagga, New South Wales, Australia
- Died
- 14th April 1941 at Tobruk, North Africa. (killed in action)
- Award
- Posthumous all posthumous VCs →
- Memorial / grave
- Tobruk War Cemetery, Libya and on the Australian War Memorial, Canberra, Australia
- Medal held by
- the Australian War Memorial, Canberra,
Digest of citation
During the night of 13th/14th April, 1941 at Tobruk, Libya, Corporal Edmondson was severely wounded while serving with a party which was counter-attacking the enemy who had broken through the barbed wire defences. He continued to advance, however, under heavy fire and went to the assistance of his officer who was in difficulties --- he had his bayonet through a German soldier who, in his death throes, was clasping him fiercely around the legs while another German was attacking the lieutenant from behind. Despite his own serious injuries, Edmondson went to his rescue and killed both of the enemy.. Soon after this tremendous effort he Died on of his wounds
From Alf Askin's research notes
Reproduced as Alf wrote it, c. 2000–2005. Spelling and abbreviations are his own.
EDMONDSON, John Hurst. (reg No. 369).
Corporal 2nd/ 17th Battalion. Australian Military Forces.
London Gazetted on 4th July 1941 VC Medal's Custodian is the Australian War Memorial, Canberra, Australia..
Born on 8th October 1914 at Wagga Wagga, New South Wales, Australia.
Died on 14th April 1941 at Tobruk, North Africa. (killed in action) .
Memorials at Tobruk War Cemetery, Libya and on the Australian War Memorial, Canberra, Australia.
Digest of Citation reads: During the night of 13th/14th April, 1941 at Tobruk, Libya, Corporal Edmondson was severely wounded while serving with a party which was counter-attacking the enemy who had broken through the barbed wire defences. He continued to advance, however, under heavy fire and went to the assistance of his officer who was in difficulties --- he had his bayonet through a German soldier who, in his death throes, was clasping him fiercely around the legs while another German was attacking the lieutenant from behind. Despite his own serious injuries, Edmondson went to his rescue and killed both of the enemy.. Soon after this tremendous effort he Died on of his wounds.
Australia..
Visit the grave or memorial
Alf recorded the memorial as: Tobruk War Cemetery, Libya 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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