Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Signalman

Unit:

10th Australian DR Section. "B" Australian Corps Signals, Australian Army

Awarded on:

March 6th, 1947

Awarded for merit on Bougainville, April 7th.8th, 1945.
Recommendation:
"For devotion to duty above the ordinary, and for efforts much in excess of normal as a Despatch Rider during period 7/8 April 45.
Severe cyclonic storms which commended late on Friday, Apr 6 played havoc with the L of C to Adv 3 Aust Div sending torrents of water down each river and washing out bridges. Heavy seas had washed the road and beaches completely out in numerous places. At 0600 hrs 7 Apr 45, Sigmn NEUMANN set out on the normal DR run to Adv 3 Aust Div at TOKO, a distance of some 60 miles. He carried with him a trailer full of cable and line stores for maintenance purposes. Arriving at JABA l RIVER, he found the approaches had been wahsed out, so unhitched his trailer, waterproofed his jeep, and drove it through heavy surf, returning for the trailer of cable which he manhanded through the washaway. Further down the route approaching MAWARAKA, the road and beach had dissappeared for some three miles. He hacked a track through the jungle itself in constant danger of falling limbs and trees, and delivered his trailer of cable. South of MAWARAKA he had to wade waist-high through swamp, and on the other side met the DR from TOKO, where despatches where exchanged.
He then returned over the same route, and when nearing ROROKINA at approximately 1430 hrs, he met the mid-day DR proceeding south. Thinking he would know the new self-made route better, he exchanged vehicles and despatches and turned south once more. This time at the JABA he was warned that the bridge was unsafe, but he crossed nevertheless, the last vehicle to do so. Once more wading the swamp south MAWARAKA, he walked a mile to a Water Craft camp and borrowed a vehicle, delivering his despatches at Adv 3 Aust Div at 2230 hours on 7 Apr 45. At 0600 hrs 8 Apr he set out to return to 2 Aust Corps. The road this time proved quite impassable, and he returned his borrowed vehicle, walked back to MOTUPENA POINT where he "caught" a barge for TOROKINA, delivering his despatches at 2100 hrs. During this period, though wet, all his despatches were correctly and safely delivered.
His devotion to duty over these to days and entire disregard for personal discomfort not only ensured delivery of despatches, but provided an outstanding example and inspiration to the unit."


LG 37898/1088.

Clyde Alexander Neumann was recommended to the decoration by Lieutenant Colonel D.F. Wiley, Commanding Officer "B" Australian Corps Signals on April 13th, 1945. On April 15th, 1945 the recommendation was supported by Lieutenant General S.E. Savage, Commanding Officer 2nd Australian Corps and on October 24th, 1945 by Lieutenant General V.A.H. Sturdee, Commanding Officer First Australian Army.
The decoration was approved by the Australian High Command on November 30th, 1945. On June 24th, 1946 the recommendation was supported by the Governor-General and announced in The London Gazette and Australian Gazette on March 6th, 1947. The decoration was received from London on September 25th, 1947 and presented by the Governor-General on June 15th, 1949.