Private ARTHUR STANLEY GURNEY
Australian Infantry
A.I.F. 2/48 Bn.
Died 22 July 1942
Age 33 years old
- Country of Service Australian
- Awards Victoria Cross
- Additional Info Son of George and Jane Gurney, of Victoria Park, Western Australia.
- Personal Inscription RESTING IN GALLANT COMPANY. A SOLDIER AND A MAN
- Additional Citation note
The citation in the London Gazette of 8th September, 1942, gives the following details: During an attack on strong German positions at Tell-El-Eisa on 22nd July, 1942, the company to which Private Gurney belonged was held up by intense enemy fire. Heavy casualties were suffered, all the officers being killed or wounded. Private Gurney without hesitation charged and silenced two machine-gun posts. At this stage he was knocked down by a stick grenade, but recovered and charged a third post, using his bayonet with great vigour. His body was found later in an enemy post. By this single-handed act of gallantry in the face of a determined enemy, Private Gurney enabled his company to press forward to its objective. The successful outcome of this engagement was almost entirely due to his heroism at the moment when it was needed.
