When I first learned about the bravery of Private William Allan Irwin, I couldn’t understand why he was not awarded the Victoria Cross.

On 31 August 1918, under heavy enemy fire, Private Irwin single-handedly charged three German machine-gun positions - capturing the guns and their crews. He then attempted to take a fourth, before being fatally wounded.

For these actions, he was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal.

Yet on that same day, in the same battle, another soldier from the same battalion captured one machine-gun post and was awarded the Victoria Cross.

This is not just a discrepancy - it is a failure to fully recognise William's extraordinary bravery.

Private Irwin was an Aboriginal Australian, a Gomeroi man, who served at a time when Indigenous soldiers were often overlooked for their contributions and under-recognised. This was particularly the case when they returned home to Australia, where many of them suffered discrimination despite serving their country.

To this day, no Indigenous Australian has been awarded the highest military honour, the Victoria Cross.

William's family have sought for an upgrade to his medals through the Defence Honours and Awards Appeals Tribunal on multiple occasions, but each request has been denied on the basis that his Distinguished Conduct Medal was sufficient.

It is time to correct this historical oversight.

Upgrading Private William Allan Irwin’s Distinguished Conduct Medal to a Victoria Cross would not only honour his actions appropriately, but also recognise the service and sacrifice of Aboriginal soldiers who have long gone unacknowledged.

We call on the Australian Government, the Minister for Defence, the Governor-General, and the Defence Honours and Awards Appeals Tribunal to initiate a formal review of his case.

Sign this petition and help secure the recognition that Private William Allan Irwin DCM undeniably deserves!