Interview with Lieutenant Clifford Sadlier VC
‘Fritz had pushed us back from Villers-Bretonneux and orders came through that we were to counter-attack. I was a Lieutenant in charge of a platoon and second in charge of my Company. At 10pm we were given two hours notice that we were to move into the town. We were to push forward over three miles of country we had never seen to join up with the 15th Brigade. The officers were given a ten-minute glimpse of a map of the area and then we were given our orders.
My platoon was to cover the left flank of the Battalion. On the left was a thick wood, which unknown to us, sheltered as many Prussian Guards as we had Diggers in our whole Battalion.
When Lieutenant Colonel Christie gave the order to advance we moved quickly into the open alongside the wood. Jerry waited until we were well into the open before he let fly. We wondered what had struck us.
Before we had gone 50 yards, 39 out of the 42 in my platoon were in the mud either dead or wounded. I hit the deck and saw that Charlie Stokes from another platoon was still alive and 2 bombardiers named Guthrie and Collins had also escaped the hail of fire. I knew that if we did not clean out the edge of that wood, the 51st Battalion would be sitting ducks.
By then the flank had been cleared enough for the rest of the Battalion to charge through. The counter attack was a success. I was bandaged up at a Regimental Aid Post and sent back to London, where I entered the South Kensington Hospital. Here my wounded arm was operated on by a clever man who joined the nerves and gave me back the use of my arm. It’s a bit stiff, but I didn’t ever think I would use it again. In July I was still recuperating at South Kensington when the rumour came through that I was gong to be awarded the Distinguished Service Order. I said I’d believe it when I saw it. A few of the boys were playing bridge when a reporter came into the room and asked which of us was Sadlier. I stood up and the reporter told me I had been awarded the Victoria Cross. It was the proudest moment of my life.’
Late in July 1918, I attended an investiture at Buckingham Palace where King George V pinned the Victoria Cross on me and read out the citation. The King went on to shake my right hand, but when he saw it was still in a sling, he took my left hand and shook it.’
I gave brief instructions to the survivors and led a mad rush towards the wood. Just as I got to the timber, I felt a burning pain in the leg. I had got a machine gun bullet point blank through it. It did not seem to give much trouble, so I kept going, hurling grenades and firing my pistol.
I concentrated on one machine gun that seemed to be doing a lot of the damage. Probably more by good luck than good management, I cleaned out the post and took the gun. But another machine gun bullet smashed into my forearm, paralysing it. My revolver was empty and because of my limp arm, there was nothing else I could do, but to get out.’
The citation reads:
‘Clifford William Sadlier, Lieutenant 51st Battalion. For conspicuous bravery during a counterattack by his Battalion on strong enemy positions. Lieutenant Sadlier’s platoon, which was on the left of the Battalion, had to advance through a wood, where a strong enemy machine gun post caused casualties and prevented the platoon from advancing. Though badly wounded, he at once collected his bombing section, led them against the machine guns and succeeded in killing the crew of four and taking the gun. In doing so, he was again wounded. The very gallant conduct of this officer was the means of clearing the flank and allowing the Battalion to move forward, thereby saving a most critical situation. His coolness and utter disregard of danger inspired all.’
If you were interested in the above article, you may be interested to know that our next tour leaves Australia for France in April 2025:
WW1 Western Front 1916 – 1918 tour: Belgium & France
Frank Taylor Tour Director & Neville Browning OAM historian and author, team together to offer:
- 14 days tour - with 12 days actually touring the battlefields with Australian military historian Neville Browning, a tour director and experienced local team
- Small number of group participants
- Includes Anzac Day Commemorations – Dawn Service at Villers Bretonneux & afternoon service with the Bullecourt Village Community
- Search assistance for relatives and persons of interest
- No picnic or box meals and no war bore stuff ..
- Relaxing evenings - dining as you choose in rural
towns of Belgium and France - All breakfasts, 9 restaurant luncheons
Our programme is crafted for an exceptionally well informed and balanced tour of Australia’s military history in France and Belgium in The Great War – with the ability to assist with relatives’ research. We offer expert knowledge and commentary. Accurate, exploratory, but not overwhelming, and includes “tourist time” as well.
Get in touch here, or go here to find out more.
This article was kindly supplied by Neville Browning OAM. You can read more about him here, or order his book here.
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