Personal info
- Name: Claude Charles CASTLETON
- D.O.B: 12th Apr, 1893
- D.O.A: 29th Jul, 1916
- D.O.D: 29th Apr, 1916
- Award: Victoria Cross
- Occupation at time of action: Sergeant, 5th Machine Gun Company, 5th Brigade, 2nd Division, Australian Imperial Force
Pozières, France 28-29 July 1916
28-29 July 1916
Pozières, France 23-25 July 1916
After the Germans had regained Pozières which had been captured by the British on 1 July 1916, the first day of the Battle of the Somme, it had been attacked by troops of the Australian Imperial Force on 23 July (see above) and mostly captured by the 24th. However, German counter-attacks continued and Pozières ridge just east of the village was not captured until 4 August.
Citation
For most conspicuous bravery. During an attack on the enemy’s trenches the infantry was temporarily driven back by the intense machine-gun fire opened by the enemy. Many wounded were left in “No Man’s Land” lying in shell-holes. Sjt. Castleton went out twice in face of this intense fire and each time brought in a wounded man on his back. He went out a third time and was bringing in another wounded man when he was himself hit in the back and killed instantly. He set a splendid example of courage and self-sacrifice.