Private Harry Dalziel, an Atherton Tableland railway fireman before the First World War, was the 1000th soldier awarded the Victoria Cross.
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When tanks failed to arrive to support 15th Battalion soldiers advancing on Pear Trench during the Battle of Hamel, German machine-gun fire caused many Australian casualties.
Dalziel, 25, rushed one machine-gun post with revolvers and killed or captured the entire crew.
He crossed open ground under artillery fire twice to get ammunition for his Lewis gun until a head wound exposed his brain.
Dalziel’s VC citation said he “undoubtedly saved many lives and turned what could have been a severe check into a splendid success.”
After extensive medical treatment he returned to Queensland where he wrote ballads including ‘A Song of the Tableland.’
His family retains a 1949 letter from Princess Elizabeth respectfully declining Dalziel’s gift of his VC for newborn Prince Charles.