Lawrence Carthage Weathers

Lawrence Carthage Weathers VC (14 May 1890 – 29 September 1918) was an Australian recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.

Born in Te Kopuru, New Zealand, his family moved to Australia when he was seven years old and settled in rural South Australia. Weathers was educated at Snowtown Public School.

He was 28 years old, and a Temporary Corporal in the 43rd Battalion, (S.A.), Australian Imperial Force during the First World War when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.

On 2 September 1918, north of Peronne, France, when the attack was held up by a strongly held enemy trench, Corporal Weathers went forward alone and attacked the enemy with bombs. Returning for more bombs, he again went forward with three comrades and attacked under heavy fire. Regardless of personal danger, he mounted the enemy parapet and bombed the trench; 180 prisoners and three machine-guns were taken.

He was killed in action, north-east of Peronne, France, on 29 September 1918.

There is some confusion over whether Lawrence Weathers should appear under the Australian or New Zealand winners.

References

*John Ritchie, [http://www.adb.online.anu.edu.au/biogs/A120469b.htm Weathers, Lawrence Carthage (1890 - 1918)] , Australian Dictionary of Biography, Volume 12, Melbourne University Press, 1990, pp 424-425.
*Monuments to Courage (David Harvey, 1999)
*The Register of the Victoria Cross (This England, 1997)

External links

* [http://www.ozemail.com.au/~vcweb/winners/weathers.htm WEATHERS L.C.]
* [http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Park/7572/nzvcross.txt New Zealand Troops who have won the Victoria Cross] "(brief biography details)"
* [http://www.iol.net.au/~conway/vicross/weathers.html Corporal L.C. Weathers] "(photo, brief details)"