Reginald Roy Inwood

Reginald Roy Inwood VC (July 14 1890 - October 23 1971) 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.

He was 27 years old, and a Private in the 10th Battalion (S.A.), Australian Imperial Force during the First World War when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.

During the period 19 September - 22 September 1917 in an attack at Polygon Wood, near Ypres, Belgium, Private Inwood moved forward alone through the allied barrage, capturing an enemy strong-point, killing several and taking nine prisoners. During the evening, he volunteered for a special all-night patrol which went out 600 yards in front of the allied line, and succeeded in bringing back valuable information. In the early morning of 21 September he again went out in company with another man and they located a machine-gun which was causing much trouble. They bombed it so effectively that only one gunner survived and he was brought in as a prisoner, with the gun.

He later achieved the rank of Sergeant.

In his will Roy Inwood bequeathed all his war medals to the 10th Battalion Club who indicated they would donate the Victoria Cross itself to the Australian War Memorial. He informed them that he wanted the medal to remain in Adelaide so in June 1971, with Inwood's consent, the VC was presented to the Adelaide City Council where he had been employed from 1928 until 1955. The VC was stored in the high security vault in the Council’s Archives while a replica was put on display.

Inwood died on October 23 1971, he was buried at the West Terrace AIF Cemetery, Adelaide, South Australia.

In 2005 Inwood's VC became the centre of considerable media and community debate with calls for it to be displayed in the Australian War Memorial's national Victoria Cross Collection. The Council consulted with the Inwood family and other interested parties who decided Inwood’s dying wishes must be honoured. In December 2005 funds were allocated to provide security so the original Victoria Cross could be displayed in the Adelaide Town Hall instead of the replica.