Robert Matthew Beatham
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Robert Matthew Beatham VC (16 June 1894 – 9 August 1918) was an Australian recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.
[edit] Early life
Beatham was born at Glassonby, Cumberland, England. While still in his teens he migrated alone to Australia.
[edit] Military service
He was 24 years old, and a Private in the 8th Bn. (Victoria), Australian Imperial Force during the First World War when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.
On 9 August 1918 at Rosiere, east of Amiens, France, when the advance was held up by heavy machine-gun fire, Private Beatham and one other man bombed and fought the crews of four enemy machine-guns, killing 10 and capturing 10. This helped the advance to go ahead, and when the final objective was reached, although wounded, he again dashed forward and bombed a machine-gun, but he was killed while doing so.
He is Buried at Heath Cemetery, Harbonnieres, France. 10m S. of Albert. PlotVII. Row J. Grave 13. Headstone. His VC medal is held in a private collection in Melbourne. It sold in 1999 for a record price for an Australian VC of A$178,500.
