G'day ,

On Anzac day tomorrow, it’s worth remembering many of Australia’s bravest were shaped by country life long before war. Farms, stations, hard work, horses, drought, distance and long hours often built the character later shown in battle.

Here are some Aussie Victoria Cross recipients, many with country roots, whose bravery in the heat of battle saved many of their mates...

Harry Murray VC

Harry Murray was born near Evandale, Tasmania, and left school young to help run the family farm after his father died. Later he moved to WA, where he worked on a wheat farm. On 4–5 February 1917 at Stormy Trench near Gueudecourt, France, he led his company in savage close-quarter fighting, repelling repeated German counter-attacks while often leading bayonet and bombing charges himself. After the war, he settled in Queensland, purchased Glenlyon Station near Richmond, became a grazier and wool grower, later serving again in World War II before returning to the land.

Albert Borella VC

Borella was no ordinary soldier. Long before World War I, he had already lived a hard northern frontier life, working the land and running a pastoral lease near the Daly River in the NT after years as a bushman and drover. In battle at Villers-Bretonneux, France, on 17 July 1918, he stormed through fierce machine-gun fire, personally silenced enemy gun crews with his revolver, captured their position and then rallied exhausted men to hold off repeated German counter-attacks while badly outnumbered. Wounded several times across the war, he came home carrying lasting injuries yet quietly devoted himself to helping returned servicemen until his passing in 1968.

Keith Payne VC

Keith Payne was born in Ingham, QLD - one of 13 children - and worked in rural jobs - including as a cane cutter - before joining the army, serving in Korea, the Malayan Emergency and Borneo before Vietnam. On 24 May 1969 near Ben Het Camp, Kontum Province, Vietnam, his unit came under fierce attack and he was wounded by grenade shrapnel, yet he repeatedly moved through heavy enemy fire searching for wounded and scattered troops. Over several hours in darkness, he located and helped bring out around 40 soldiers, reorganised survivors and led them back to safety.

And a classic bush yarn worth mentioning... Keith was struck by a platypus spur in 1991 while trying to rescue it, later saying the pain was worse than shrapnel! Now aged 92, he is Australia's oldest living VC recipient. His book 'No One Left Behind' is an excellent read.

Mark Donaldson VC

Mark Donaldson, born in Warwick, QLD, spent part of his youth around Dorrigo in northern NSW, where country life helped build his grit - including dealing with the tragic and suspicious circumstances surrounding his mother’s death. I’ve met Mark on a couple of occasions, a very humble fella, and also read his book 'The Crossroad', which I highly recommend. He’s a pretty handy surfer too!

On 2 September 2008 in Oruzgan Province, Afghanistan, when his patrol was ambushed, he repeatedly exposed himself to enemy fire to protect wounded mates, then crossed open ground to rescue an Afghan interpreter - earning him the VC. After the SAS, he became a strong advocate for mental health awareness, resilience and veterans’ wellbeing.

Thomas Derrick VC

After leaving school young during the Depression, Tom Derrick moved to the South Australia Riverland district, where he worked on vineyards and fruit properties around Berri. He eventually became a farm manager, a pretty solid achievement for a young bloke who had grown up in poverty.

In war, Derrick became one of Australia’s most decorated soldiers. Before winning the VC, he had already earned the Distinguished Conduct Medal at El Alamein after knocking out German machine-gun posts and helping capture around 100 prisoners. Then at Sattelberg, New Guinea, in November 1943, he scaled steep jungle slopes under fire, personally destroyed multiple Japanese machine-gun positions and led the charge that captured the objective. His battalion called it “Derrick’s Show”, and he was chosen to raise the Australian flag over Sattelberg after the victory. Tragically, after later being commissioned as a lieutenant, he was killed in action at Tarakan, Borneo in 1945, aged just 31.

Teddy Sheean VC

Edward Sheean grew up in rural Tasmania where hard work was a way of life. On 1 December 1942 in the Timor Sea, as HMAS Armidale sank under air attack, he strapped himself into his gun position and fired on enemy aircraft to shield shipmates escaping into the water. He was posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross. As he was killed in action aged just 18, his legacy lived on through generations of Australians who campaigned successfully for his bravery to receive the VC in 2020.

So this Anzac Day...

With all this unrest in the world right now, from the Middle East to growing global uncertainty, Anzac Day is a timely reminder that freedom and stability should never be taken for granted. When the moment came these men, stood tall for their mates... and their country.

Lest We Forget.

Hooroo for now,

Simon

Founder RFTTE - The Online Campfire | E: simon@rfttejobs.com or simply reply to this newsletter | Subscribe to this newsletter | The RFTTE Story | RFTTE MERCH