Portrait of Captain (Capt) William John Symons, VC, 37th Battalion from Brunswick, Victoria. A 28 ...

Portrait of Captain (Capt) William John Symons, VC, 37th Battalion from Brunswick, Victoria. A 28 year old soldier with the Militia prior to enlisting in the AIF on 17 August 1914, he embarked for overseas on 18 October 1914 with the 7th Battalion as colour sergeant with service number 174. After landing at Gallipoli on 25 April, he was commissioned a second lieutenant the next day and was promoted to lieutenant (Lt) on 2 July. In the early hours of 9 August the Turks made a series of attacks on Jacob’s Trench at Lone Pine. Lt Symons was ordered to retake the trench, knowing he would be lucky to survive. He led a charge, but the enemy continued to attack. With the trench under fire from three sides, Lt Symons built a timber barricade. Although the Turks set fire to the woodwork, he extinguished the flames and finally forced the enemy to discontinue their attacks. For his gallant efforts he received the Victoria Cross. Lt Symons returned to Australia on 12 March 1916 and then re-embarked as a captain with the 37th Battalion on 3 June 1916. While serving on the Western Front, he was wounded in action (gassed) during the Battle of Messines on 7 June 1917. Capt Symons VC returned to Australia on 11 October 1918 and his commission was terminated on 17 December 1918. He settled in the United Kingdom with his wife and served as a lieutenant colonel in the British Home Guard from 1941 to 1944. He died in London on 24 June 1948.