Served as a medical orderly with 24 Battalion, C Company

Private J. W. Gwilliam, MM; Auckland; born Auckland, 5 Oct 1921; clothing presser. (Source: Burdon, R.M. 24 Battalion. p.321.)

'Colonel Hutchens called a conference on the night of 11 April, directing C and D Companies to attempt the canal crossing at dawn. Moving quietly forward with tanks in support, the attacking force reached the river bank unhindered except for sporadic mortar fire. Within less than an hour C Company had all three platoons across, with the loss of eight wounded. Corporal Smith10 earned the MM for the dash and courage with which he led his section, and Private Gwilliam, a medical orderly, won the same award for carrying back wounded under fire. D Company was on its objective soon after C. One of its leading platoons was held up on the far bank by fire from a concealed dugout, but Private Freeman went forward alone and captured the position with eight prisoners. Though wounded in the shoulder, he escorted them back across the river and handed them over personally before consenting to go down the line. He also was awarded the MM.' (Source: Burdon, R.M. 24 Battalion. p. 321.) AWMM