Australian Victoria Cross Recipient

Private Robert Matthew Beatham
Unit 8th Battalion
Born 16 June 1894 at Glassonby, Cumberland, England. While still in his teens he migrated alone to Australia.
Date of action 9 August 1918
Place Rosieres, near Villers-Bretonneux France
Details

When the 8th Battalion was held up during an action Beatham, assisted by Lance Corporal Nottingham, rushed forward and bombed and fought the crews of four guns, killing ten and capturing ten others, thus allowing the advance to  continue and saving many casualties. On 11 August Beatham, though wounded, rushed another machine gun and bombed and silenced it. In doing so he was riddled with bullets and killed.
Died 11 August 1918
Buried or Commemorated Heath Cemetery, Harbonnieres, France
Current location of the VC Lodged with the United Service Club, 183 Wickham Terrace, Brisbane. It sold in 1999 for a record price for an Australian VC of $178,500.
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