THE VICTORIA CROSS GROUP AWARDED TO LIEUTENANT WILLIAM JOYNT, 8TH BATTALION, AUSTRALIAN IMPERIAL FORCE, IS NOW IN THE CUSTODY OF THE MELBOURNE GRAMMAR SCHOOL, VICTORIA.
23 September 2021


( select to enlarge )

Medal entitlement of Lieutenant William Joynt,
8th Bn, Australian Imperial Force

  • Victoria Cross
  • British War Medal ( 1914-20 )
  • Victory Medal ( 1914-19 )
  • War Medal ( 1939-45 )
  • Australia Service Medal ( 1939-45 )
  • King George VI Coronation Medal ( 1937 )
  • Queen Elizabeth II Coronation Medal ( 1953 )
  • Queen Elizabeth II Silver Jubilee Medal ( 1977 )


Following William Joynt's heroic action in 1918, which resulted in the award of the Victoria Cross, his impressive VC medal group had been held by the family. The Victoria Cross medal set is now in the custody of William Joynt's old school, the Melourne Grammar School, in the state of Victoria.


[ London Gazette, 27 November 1918 ], Peronne, France, 23 August 1918, Lieutenant William Donovan Joynt, 8th Bn, Australian Imperial Force

For most conspicuous bravery and devotion to duty during the attack on Herleville Wood, near Chuignes, Peronne, on 23rd August 1918.

His company commander having been killed early in the advance, he immediately took charge of the company, which he led with courage and skill.

On approaching Herleville Wood the troops of the leading battalion, which his battalion was supporting, suffered very heavy casualties and were much shaken. Lieutenant Joynt, grasping the situation, rushed forward under very heavy machine-gun and artillery fire, collected and reorganised the remnant of the battalion, and kept them under cover pending the arrival of his own company. He then made a personal reconnaissance and found that the fire from the wood was checking the whole advance and causing heavy casualties to troops on his flanks.

Dashing out in front of his men, he inspired and led a magnificent frontal bayonet attack on the wood. The enemy were staggered by this sudden onslaught, and a very critical situation was saved. Later, at Plateau Wood, this very gallant officer again with a small party of volunteers rendered invaluable service, and after severe hand-to-hand fighting turned a stubborn defence into an abject surrender.

His valour and determination was conspicuous throughout, and he continued to do magnificent work until badly wounded by a shell.

William Joynt was invested with his Victoria Cross by King George V at Buckingham Palace on the 12 July 1919.


William Joynt died on the 5th May 1986, aged 97 years and 48 days, at his home in Windsor, Melbourne, in the state of Victoria and was buried in the city's Brighton Lawn Cemetery.

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Iain Stewart, 24 September 2021