Personal info
- Name: Stanley Robert McDOUGALL
- D.O.B: 23rd Jul, 1890
- D.O.A: 28th Mar, 1918
- D.O.D: 7th Jul, 1968
- Award: Victoria Cross
- Occupation at time of action: Sergeant, 47th Battalion (Queensland), 12th Brigade, 4th Division, Australian Imperial Force
- Book: The Complete History - Volume 2
Dernancourt, France 8 March 1918
8 March 1918
The First World War 1918
By 27 March 1918 the Germans’ Spring offensive had carried them to a line running south through Albert along the Ancre. The 4th Australian Division held the railway line running out of Albert to Dernancourt just to the south-west and at dawn on the 28th the Germans sought to break out across this line.
Citation
For most conspicuous bravery and devotion to duty when the enemy attacked our line and his first wave succeeded in gaining an entry. Sjt. McDougall, who was at a post in a flank company, realised the situation, and at once charged the enemy’s second wave single-handed with rifle and bayonet, killing seven and capturing a machine gun which they had. This he turned on to them, firing from the hip, causing many casualties and routing that wave. He then turned his attention to those who had entered, until his ammunition ran out, all the time firing at close quarters, when he seized a bayonet and charged again, killing three men and an enemy officer, who was just about to kill one of our officers. He used a Lewis gun on the enemy, killing many and enabling us to capture thirty three prisoners. The prompt action of this non-commissioned officer saved the line and enabled the enemy’s advance to be stopped.
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