THE VICTORIA CROSS AND CAMPAIGN MEDALS AWARDED TO CAPTAIN ALBERT BORELLA, 26TH BN, AUSTRALIAN IMPERIAL FORCE, HAS BEEN ACQUIRED BY THE AUSTRALIAN WAR MEMORIAL.
11 June 2017


( select to enlarge )
Medal entitlement of Captain Albert Borella,
26th Bn, Australian Imperial Force

  • Victoria Cross
  • Military Medal ( MM )
  • 1914-15 Star
  • British War Medal ( 1914-20 )
  • Victory Medal ( 1914-19 ) + MiD Oakleaf
  • War Medal ( 1939-45 )
  • Australia Service Medal ( 1939-45 )
  • King George VI Coronation Medal ( 1937 )
  • Queen Elizabeth II Coronation Medal ( 1953 )
  • Gallipoli Star
  • Medal for the Battle of the Somme
  • Federation of Veterans of King Albert I Cross ( 1909-34 ) ( Belgium )


The Victoria Cross and campaign medals awarded to Captain Albert Borella, 26th Bn, Australian Imperial Force, have been acquired by the Australian War Memorial. The Borella VC group will go on permanent display in the AWM's Hall of Valour.


For the award of the Victoria Cross

[ London Gazette, 16 September 1918 ], Villers Bretonneux, France, 17 / 18 July 1918, Lieutenant Albert Borella, 26th Bn, Australian Imperial Force.

For most conspicuous bravery in attack ( Villers Bretonneux, France ).

Whilst leading his position with the first wave Lieutenant Borella marked an enemy machine gun firing through our barrage. He ran out ahead of his men into the barrage, shot two German machine-gunners with his revolver, and captured the gun. He then led his party, now reduced to ten men and two Lewis guns, against a very strongly held trench, using his revolver and later a rifle, with great effect, causing many enemy casualties.

His leading and splendid example resulted in the garrison being quickly shot or captured. Two large dug-outs were also bombed and thirty prisoners taken. Subsequently the enemy twice counter-attacked in strong force, on the second occasion outnumbering Lieutenant Borella’s platoon by ten to one, but his cool determination inspired his men to resist heroically, and the enemy were repulsed with very heavy loss.

Albert Borella was invested with his Victoria Cross by King George V at Sandringham on the 7th October 1918.


For the award of the Military Medal

[ London Gazette, 11 May 1917 ], Warlencourt, Belgium, 1 / 2 March 1917, Sergeant Albert Borella, 26th Bn, Australian Imperial Force

For conspicuous bravery in action. This sergeant in the attack on Malt Trench north of Warlencourt on the night of the 1 / 2 March 1917 did splendid work.
After taking a leading part in the furious fighting on the Right of the battalion objective he assisted Lieutenant Ward in reorganising the men and consolidated the line.
Throughout he displayed the greatest coolness and devotion to duty.


Albert Borella died on the 7th February 1968 and is buried in the Albury Lawn Cemetery, New South Wales.

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Iain Stewart, 11 June 2017