THE Australian War Memorial has another Victoria Cross (VC) to add to its colllection thanks to a mystery donor.
The VC, awarded to Corporal Lawrence Carthage Weathers during WWI, went on permanent display at the memorial on
October 21.
New Zealand born Corporal Weathers served in the 43rd Battalion, Australian Imperial Force and was awarded the VC for his actions on September 2, 1918.
He was heavily involved in the storming of a strongly defended German trench and the capture of 180 prisoners and three machine-guns.
He never learned he had been recommended for the honour, as he was killed in action just weeks after his act of bravery on September 29.
Memorial Director Brendan Nelson said it was an honour to add Corporal Weathers' VC to the collection in the memorial's galleries, which now stands at 79.
"Weathers paid the ultimate sacrifice and for that we owe an immense debt," Dr Nelson said.
"We do what we can to repay this debt by honouring his story in the hall of valour."
The citation for Weathers' VC commends him for "conspicuous bravery and devotion to duty".
Weathers had been seriously wounded twice in the line of duty prior to being recommended for the VC.
He sustained a severe gun shot wound on June 10 1917 during the Battle of Messines and was gassed on May 26 1918.
Corporal Weathers' cousin Lance Corporal John Wethers was also fatally wounded by the same shell burst.
His brother Private Thomas Francis Weathers died in Gallipoli in 1915 and his other brother Private Joseph James Augustine Weathers briefly served in Australia before being discharged at his own request.
