Lieutenant Arthur Roden Cutler

Lieutenant Arthur Roden Cutler

2/5th Field Regiment

24 May 1916 at Manly, New South Wales

19 June – 6 July 1941

Merdjayoun and Damour, Lebanon

At Merdjayoun, on 19 June, an Australian infantry attack had been checked by the enemy who had counter-attacked with tanks. The artillery forward observation team, including Cutler, another officer, two gunners, and a few infantrymen, pushed on ahead of the main body and established an outpost in a house. Cutler then went out under intense machine-gun fire to repair the telephone line, and when this was done enemy posts and batteries were successfully engaged. The outpost was then attacked by two tanks and supporting infantry. Cutler and one of the gunners opened fire on the tracks of the tanks with anti-tank rifles and a Bren gun, driving the enemy infantry to cover. The tanks advanced again and opened fire with their turret guns. Cutler took up an anti-tank rifle and hit the tanks’ turrets, but again without effect. The he fired and hit their tracks, whereupon tanks and infantry withdrew to shelter. He was wounded and lay isolated and exposed for twenty-six hours before being rescued. His leg was subsequently amputated.

21 February 2002. He was given a State Funeral, having served as Governor of New South Wales from 1966-1981.

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