Honours and Awards

Several members of the 2/4th Machine Gun Battalion were honoured as a result of heroic behavior and or actions.

WX7852 Acting Corporal Henry Charles Fuhrmann DCM

On the 10 February A/Cpl H.C. Fuhrmann was in command of a group on the front line, The Japanese attacked several times during the day but each time were repulsed. During this action A/Cpl H.C. Fuhrmann behaved in an outstanding and energetic manner. He fearlessly moved around his posts, directing fire, encouraging the men and supervising the evacuation of the wounded. On the 12th February at Ulu Pandan A/Cpl H.C. Fuhrmann again showed outstanding leadership.

Date of Commonwealth of Australia Gazette: Distinguished Conduct Medal 12th September 1946

WX3435 Major Charles Edward Green MBE MID

Major Green was a POW in Japanese hands from Feb 1942 – Aug 1945 in Malaya, Burma and Siam. He was a camp commander for nearly the whole of this period. Such a task imposed on him a heavy and continuous mental and physical strain under difficult conditions brought about by brutal and uncivilized Japanese administration and included humiliation and continuous threat of personal violence. Under these conditions Major Green exhibited marked qualities of leadership, ability, initiative, energy, courage and devotion to duty. Throughout he maintained a determined opposition in endeavoring to modify and resist Japanese demands for sick and dying personnel to do heavy labour. Such work saved many lives.

Date of Commonwealth of Australia Gazette: Member of the Order of the British Empire 6th March 1947

Date of Commonwealth of Australia Gazette: Mentioned In Despatches 12th September 1946

WX9392 Lieutenant Milton Eric Wankey MC

On the 8th Feb 1942 the Northern end of Lim Chu Kang Road was subjected to very heavy artillery fire. Lt Wankey fired a gun with his No. 2 Pte Loller for some time until 2230 when both were wounded. Lt Wankey was severely wounded in the right knee but remained at his post until 0130 when he was ordered to withdraw. Lt Wankey’s devotion to duty, although severely wounded, was an outstanding example of courage, which imbued his men with the determination to hold this key position and so deny the enemy an important bridgehead for a period of four hours.

Date of Commonwealth of Australia Gazette: Military Cross 12th September 1946

WX16886 Private Arthur Melville Magill MM

Pte Magill was leading a patrol at Bulim Village when he encountered an enemy patrol, he immediately engaged and killed five of the enemy. He led his section most gallantly and was wounded in the neck and under the armpit. Later, even though wounded, he was able to lead his section in fighting their way out of an ambush showing splendid powers of leadership. His comrades spoke very highly of his leadership, and his behavior throughout the action, despite his wounds, was an outstanding example of courage and devotion to duty,

Date of Commonwealth of Australia Gazette: Military Medal 12th September 1946

WX15743 Private Robert William Ritchie BEM MID

Pte Ritchie was a Medical Orderley attached to Capt. C.L.Anderson for all of his POW days . During the whole of this period he displayed outstanding devotion to duty. He worked unceasingly and never spared himself, his personal care and interest was the means of saving many men’s lives. When cholera broke out at 105 Kilo Camp he immediately volunteered to work in the isolation ward. He, at all times, set an example of high courage and his quiet determination and absolute reliability was an inspiration to all ranks.

Date of Commonwealth of Australia Gazette: British Empire Medal 6th March 1947

During heavy artillery bombardment on 15th Feb 1942, he showed outstanding courage and absolute fearlessness by his care and attention to the wounded.

Date of Commonwealth of Australia Gazette: Mentioned In Despatches 12th September 1946

WX9336 Sergeant John Gorringe BEM

As a member of ‘F’ Force that marched for 190 miles in Thailand Sgt Gorringe acted as CSM and his conduct and behavior was an inspirpation to all ranks. He never spared himself and his handling and care of tired, dispirited and sick men was worthy of the highest commendation. His devotion to duty and the personal interest and care he took of the 200 cases of men with tropical ulcers he was later in charge of ws outstanding. He was cheerful under most difficult and trying conditions and his example and firmness was the means of maintasining discipline and morale.

Date of Commonwealth of Australia Gazette: British Empire Medal 6th March 1947

WX3464 Captain Claude Anderson A.A.M.C. MID

Capt. Anderson was the M.O. attached to the 2/4th M.G.Bn. During action on Singapore Island he was outstanding in his tireless devotion to duty. He worked unceasingly and with absolute disregard for his personal safety. In his action he showed great courage, and it was a typical example of his bearing under fire and his complete disregard for personal danger.

Date of Commonwealth of Australia Gazette: Mentioned in Despatches 6th March 1947

WX3376 Lieutenant-Colonel Michael Joseph Anketell MID

In recognition of gallant and distinguished service in Malaya 1942

Date of Commonwealth of Australia Gazette: Mentioned in Despatches 12th September 1946

WX3451 Major Colin Cameron MID

In recognition of services rendered whilst a POW in Japanese hands.

Date of Commonwealth of Australia Gazette: Mentioned in Despatches 6th March 1946

WX8617 Corporal James John Dore MID

In recognition of services rendered whilst a POW in Japanese hands.

Date of Commonwealth of Australia Gazette: Mentioned in Despatches 6th March 1947

WX7777 Corporal Arthur Montague Draper MID

In recognition of services rendered whilst a POW in Japanese hands.

Date of Commonwealth of Australia Gazette: Mentioned in Despatches 6th March 1947

WX3450 Captain George Whittindale Gwynne MID

In recognition of services rendered whilst a POW in Japanese hands.

Date of Commonwealth of Australia Gazette: Mentioned in Despatches 6th March 1947

WX8377 Sergeant Kenneth Thomas MacLennan MID

On the 12th Feb 1942 Sgt Thomas’ commander was killed Sgt Thomas took command and showed outstanding ability and energy. He was wounded but remained on duty. He set an exceptionally high example of courage and was absolutely fearless.

Date of Commonwealth of Australia Gazette: Mentioned in Despatches 12th September 1946

WX8611 Sergeant Laurence James McGrath MID

This man serving as a member of the 43rd Landing Craft Coy went into the flames of a burning barge following an explosion to rescue an unconscious soldier.

Date of Commonwealth of Australia Gazette: Mentioned in Despatches 21st February 1946