Reg Rattey

Reg Rattey was a prolific athlete as a child, especially cricket, tennis and rugby league. In 1940 he earnt a call up to the Barmedman team to compete for the Maher Cup. It would be his only appearance in the Maher Cup. He joined the Army in September 1941. He served in New Guinea from September 1943 until April 1944, during which time he was promoted to Corporal. He returned to New Guinea 3 months later before getting transferred to the battle in Bougainville, and it was while fighting there that Rattey earnt himself a Victoria Cross Medal.

After the war, he returned home and briefly suffered from malaria, but once recovered he toured the country raising money for the Australian Comfort Fund. In March 1946, he was readmitted to the Army and promoted to the rank of Sargeant, before travelling to London to partake in the Victory Parade. While there he also received his Victoria Cross medal from King George VI at Buckingham Palace. He returned home and lived a quiet life in West Wyalong on his farm, passing away in 1986. He was given a full military funeral.

There a number of memorials in his name, including: A plaque in The Strand, London, which was one of 12 that were unveiled during “Victory In The Pacific Day” on August 29, 1995; a memorial in the West Wyalong Lions Park that was unveiled in 1992; Reg Rattey Drive – a street in West Wyalong, that was opened in 1999; A memorial park in Canberra - part of the Mational remembrance Driveway and a soldiers club at Larrakeyah Barracks.

Below is the article revealing that he was to receive the Victoria Cross and why, as it appeared in the London Gazette on July 26, 1945.

“The King has been graciously pleased to approve the award of the Victoria Cross to Corporal Reginald Roy Rattey, Australian Infantry Battalion, Australian Military Forces.

In the South West Pacific, on 22nd March, 1945, a Company of an Australian Infantry Battalion was ordered to capture a strongly held enemy position astride Buin Road, South Bougainville. The attack was met by extremely heavy fire from advanced enemy bunkers, slit trenches and fox holes sited on strong ground, and all forward movement was stopped with casualties mounting rapidly among our troops. Corporal Rattey quickly appreciated that the serious situation delaying the advance could only be averted by silencing enemy fire from automatic weapons in bunkers, which dominated all lines of approach by our troops. He calculated that a forward move by his section would be halted by fire with heavy casualties and he determined that a bold rush by himself alone would surprise the enemy and offered the best chance for success.

With amazing courage he rushed forward firing his Bren gun from the hip into the openings under the head cover of three forward bunkers. This completely neutralized enemy fire from these positions. On gaining the nearest bunker he hurled a grenade among the garrison, which completely silenced further enemy aggressive action. Corporal Rattey was now without grenades but without hesitation he raced back to his section under extremely heavy fire and obtained two grenades with which he again rushed the remaining bunkers and effectively silenced all opposition by killing seven of the enemy garrison. This led to the flight of the remaining enemy troops, which enabled his Company to continue its advance.

A little later the advance of his Company was again held up by a heavy machine gun, firing across the front. Without hesitation Corporal Rattey rushed the gun and silenced it with fire from his Bren gun used from his hip. When one had been killed and another wounded, the remainder of the enemy gun crew broke and fled. The machine gun and 2,000 rounds of ammunition were captured and the Company again continued its advance and gained its objective, which was consolidated.

The serious situation was turned into a brilliant success, entirely by the courage, cool planning and stern determination of Corporal Rattey. His bravery was an incentive to the entire Company, who fought with inspiration derived from the gallantry of Corporal Rattey, despite the stubborn opposition to which they were subjected.”