Distinguished Conduct Medal : Corporal A T Winter, 55 Battalion, AIF

Distinguished Conduct Medal (Geo V). Impressed around edge with recipient's details.

This Distinguished Conducted Medal (DCM) was awarded to 3204 Corporal Archibald Thomas Winter, of 55 Battalion, AIF. Winter enlisted on 10 August 1915 in the 7th Reinforcements of 17 Battalion, AIF and later transferred to 55 Bn. He embarked for return to Australia on 8 April 1919 with the rank of Temporary Sergeant. The citation for his DCM reads 'For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty whilst leading his section in a raid on an enemy strong point (WHIZ FARM) East of WYTSCHAETE on the night of 3rd March 1918. The condition of No Man's Land and the darkness rendered the going very difficult and the slightest error in direction was almost certain to cause the operation to fail; but this N.C.O., who led the flank responsible for direction, never erred, and the raiders, largely because of his sense of direction and coolness, were successfully assembled at the 'jumping off' point, and in the final rush were brought right on to the objective. The garrison defended the strong point with the utmost resistance, and in the hand to hand struggle which ensured, this N.C.O. accounted for two of the enemy, each of whom were in the act of firing on other members of the party. By his disregard of danger, his coolness, and leadership, Corporal WINTER set a fine example to those about him.' The raid was conducted by Lieutenant Stanley Colless and 23 men. In addition to Winter's DCM, the raid resulted in a Military Cross awarded to Lt Colless and another DCM awarded to Sergeant Edward Bourke.