An original hand-written autographed letter from Stanley R. McDougall V.C., M.M., late Sergeant, Australian Imperial Force, together with his business card and sections of the original ribands from both the Victoria Cross and the Military Medal that were presented to him by H.M. King George V at Windsor Castle on 19 August 1918 for his gallantry in fighting off an enemy attack at Dernancourt on 28th March 1918 when he single handedly charged the second wave, killing seven men and capturing a machine-gun, which he turned on the attackers, routing them and causing many casualties.
The letter, dated Scottsdale, 8 August 1961, states:
‘Dear Sir, I am extremely sorry for this delay in answering your letter, the reason being I put it away so careful I thought, but somehow it got down behind the drawer in my desk. You certainly must have a very interesting collections, and hope like you it will be accepted by the Imperial War Museum at Lambeth, for so many to enjoy. Kindly find enclosed my autograph and some ribbons off my V.C., M.M. which was personally pinned on me by King Georg [sic] the fifth at Winsor [sic] Castle 1918. Kindest regards and very best wishes, Sincerely yours, Stanley R. McDougall’, business card with ribands glued with reverse showing, to the front of letter, punch holes, glue residue on reverse, overall reasonable condition’
He was 28 years old and a sergeant in the 47th Battalion, Australian Imperial Force when he performed the actions for which he was awarded the VC.
On 28 March 1918 at Dernancourt, France, when an enemy attack succeeded in securing a foothold in the Allied line, McDougall charged the second wave single-handedly, killing seven men and capturing a machine-gun, which he turned on the attackers, routing them and causing many casualties. He continued his attack until his ammunition ran out, when he seized a bayonet and charged again, killing three men and an officer. Then, using a Lewis gun, he killed many more of the enemy and made it possible for 33 prisoners to be taken. His prompt action saved the line and halted the enemy's advance. The fighting ground where this took place was the location where his younger brother Wallace had been killed some nine months earlier.
Eight days later he repelled another enemy attack at the same spot, for which he was awarded the Military Medal
