THE VICTORIA CROSS AWARDED TO PRIVATE ROBERT BEATHAM, 8TH BN, AUSTRALIAN IMPERIAL FORCE, HAS BEEN LOANED TO THE AUSTRALIAN WAR MEMORIAL.
15 June 2019


( select to enlarge )		 Medal entitlement of Private Robert Beatham,
8th Bn, Australian Imperial Force

  • Victoria Cross
  • ( 1914-15 Star )
  • ( British War Medal ( 1914-20 ) )
  • ( Victory Medal ( 1914-19 ) )

( VC on its own without campaign medals )

The Victoria Cross awarded to Private Robert Beatham, 8th Bn, Australian Imperial Force, was purchased from a Spink ( Melbourne ) auction in 1999 by a private collector who has remained anonymous. The owner has now decided to loan the Robert Beatham Victoria Cross, on its own without the campaign medals, to the Australian War Memorial in Canberra. It is thought the loan will be for a period of three years.

For the award of the Victoria Cross

[ London Gazette, 14 December 1918 ], Rosiere, France, 9 August 1918, Private Robert Matthew Beatham, 8th Bn, Australian Imperial Force.

For most conspicuous bravery and self-sacrifice during the attack north of Rosieres, east of Amiens, on 9th August 1918.

When the advance was held up by heavy machine-gun fire, Private Beatham dashed forward, and, assisted by one man, bombed and fought the crews of four enemy machine guns, killing ten of them and capturing ten others, thus facilitating the advance and saving many casualties.

When the final objective was reached, although previously wounded, he again dashed forward and bombed a machine gun, being riddled with bullets and killed in doing so.

The valour displayed by this gallant soldier inspired all ranks in a wonderful manner.

Robert Beatham's mother was invested with his Victoria Cross by King George V at Buckingham Palace on the 8th March 1919.

Robert Beatham was killed during his VC action and was buried in the Heath Cemetery, Harbonnieres, France.

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Iain Stewart, 15 June 2019