During the advance on Salamaua VX89711 Sergeant Gordon Raymond Charles Ayre (later MM) a 58/59th ...

During the advance on Salamaua VX89711 Sergeant Gordon Raymond Charles Ayre (later MM) a 58/59th Battalion bandsman in charge of stretcher bearers, from Shepparton, Victoria, in pouring rain assists a wounded mate, VX132355 Private William Oswald Wallace Johnson, of the same unit, across Alan’s (Allen’s?) Creek to an advanced Regimental Aid Post. Johnson had been wounded in the forehead, left arm and shoulder from a Japanese grenade on 13 July 1943, during an attack on the North Coconut area, and Sergeant Ayre was awarded the Military Medal for his performance during this action. Pte Johnston, the wounded man, returned to his battalion a month later but was wounded again on 20 August and was evacuated to Australia and discharged at the end of the year. Both men survived the war. This is a film still from AWM film F1866 "Assault on Salamaua", newsreel by Damien Parer.