Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Great War 1917 ‘Zonnebeke and Broodseinde operations’ M.M. awarded to Lance-Corporal 22nd Australian Infantry Battalion, Australian Imperial Force, a Lewis Gunner who engaged from the hip, and was twice wounded in action during the course of the conflict

Military Medal, G.V.R. (4447 Pte. G. Green. 22/Aust: Inf:) edge bruising, therefore nearly very fine £600-800

M.M. London Gazette 14 January 1918. The original recommendation states:

‘For most conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. At Zonnebeke, Belgium, on 4th October 1917 this Lewis Gunner was in the lead wave. Advancing under the barrage he effectively used his gun from the hip until a hostile post was encountered. He brought his gun into action against this post and engaged the enemy gun crew thus enabling detachment of our troops to work around and bomb the garrison. At Broodseinde, Belgium, on 9th October 1917 he again showed great skill in handling his gun and inflicted severe losses on the enemy on more than one occasion. Although physically worn out and exhausted he remained constantly on duty and contributed materially to the success of the operation.’

George Green was born in Mallow, Cork, Ireland. He enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force, 28 January 1916, and embarked for France 14 September 1916. Green served with the 22nd Australian Infantry Battalion as part of the 6th Australian Brigade, 2nd Australian Division in the French theatre of war.

Green was awarded his M.M. for gallantry in operations at Zonnebeke, 4 October 1917, and at Broodseinde 9 October 1917. The Battalion War Diary for 4 October 1917 records:

‘Our barrage opened at 6am (Zero time). In conjunction with 8th Bn A.I.F. on our right, and 25th Bn A.I.F. on our left, the Battalion advanced to the attack.... the objective being the Red Line. The advancing waves almost at once encountered the enemy in force. Parties with fixed bayonets were met advancing. It soon became evident that we had anticipated an enemy attack. Considerable casualties were inflicted by our Lewis Gunners firing from the hip.... The number of prisoners captured by the Bn is difficult to estimate, as some parties were sent to rear by routes outside the Brigade Boundaries. A conservative estimate would be 200. Mopping-up later resulted in the capture of 2 Battn, Commanders and staff, and important maps and orders... Enemy losses were severe, as our mopper-uppers bombed pill boxes and occupants thereof were killed.’

Green advanced to Lance-Corporal in January 1918, and received a gun shot wound to his hand, 29 July 1918. He received a more serious set of wounds, 3 October 1918, when he was shot in the arm, hand and knee. Green returned to Australia in S.S. Orontes in December 1918, and was discharged 30 January 1919. He died in Melbourne Hospital, 25 June 1919.