Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Telegraph. AUSTRALIAN IMPERIAL FORCE,
Central. 4741. Base Records Office,
Victoria Baracks.
Melbourne.
2 October 1919.

Dear Madam,
I have much pleasure in forwarding here under a copy of extract from Second Supplement, No.31338, to the "London Gazette," dated 13th May, 1919, relating to the conspicuous services rendered by the undermentioned member of the Australian Imperial Force
AWARDED THE MILITARY MEDAL
"HIS MAJESTY THE KING has been graciously pleased to approve of the award of a Military Medal for bravery in the field to the undermentioned:-
No. 7975 Driver W. G. Rackett.
The above has been promulgated in "Commonwealth of Australia Gazette," No. 109, dated 15 September, 1919.
Yours Faithfully,
Mrs. E. Rackett,
Williamstown,
Mount Gambier, South Australia.
Major,
Officer. i.c. Base Records.

Action for which commended.
M.T. Driver, W.G. Rackett.
For conspicuous bravery and devotion to duty.
On August 23rd he was driving a Ford motor ambulance during the attack by the 1st Australian Division, evacuating wounded from N. of PROYART to MERICOURT and later in the day went forward in front of CHUIGNOLLES.
For 48 hours he drove with practically no rest, often through heavy shell fire, and his pluck, endurance, and disregard of personal danger were responsible for the quick evacuation of any badly wounded men.

After returning to Australia, 33-year-old William George "George" Rackett married Emily Francis Holland on 23 October 1922 at the Allendale East Methodist Church near Mount Gambier. Trading as George Rackett, of Grey-street, Mount Gambier, in the State of South Australia, William George Rackett was a motor garage proprietor, and fathered three daughters: Dorothy Irene Rackett, Marjorie Francis Rackett and Elva Fay Rackett. William died in 1972.