"Corporal Mackey was in charge of a section of the 2/3rd Australian Pioneer Battalion in the attack on the feature known as Helen, east of Tarakan town. Led by Corporal Mackey the section moved along a narrow
spur with scarcely width for more than one man when it came under fire
from three well-sited positions near the top of a very steep,
razor-backed ridge. The ground fell away almost sheer on each side of
the track making it almost impossible to move to a flank so Corporal
Mackey led his men forward. He charged the first Light Machine-Gun
position but slipped and after wrestling with one enemy, bayoneted him,
and charged straight on to the Heavy Machine-Gun which was firing from a
bunker position six yards to his right. He rushed this post and killed
the crew with grenades. He then jumped back and changing his rifle for a
sub-machine-gun he attacked further up the steep slope another Light
Machine-Gun position which was firing on his platoon. Whilst charging,
he fired his gun and reached with a few feet of the enemy position when
he was killed by Light Machine-Gun fire but not before he had killed two
more enemy. By his exceptional bravery and complete disregard for his
own life, Corporal Mackey was largely responsible for the killing of
seven Japanese and the elimination of two machine-gun posts, which
enabled his platoon to gain its objective, from which the Company
continued to engage the enemy. His fearless action and outstanding
courage were an inspiration to the whole battalion."
From Cpl. Mackey's Victoria Cross citation, awarded on 6 November 1945.
May you be at peace,
Brian & Mel
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