Claud Castleton
Full name:
Claud Charles Castleton, VC
Born:
Kirkley, Suffolk
England
Died:
Pozières
France
Occupation:
Pupil-teacher, Prospector
Fate:
Killed in action
Highest rank:
Sergeant
Enlistment:
Decorations/ commendations:
Victoria Cross (VC), World War I service medals
Service:
Australian Imperial Force
Service Number:
1352
Conflict:
World War I 1914-1918
Military event:
Attack on Hill 60 1915, Battle of Pozières 1916, Battle of the Somme 1916, Gallipoli Campaign 1915, Western Front 1916-1918
Unit:
5th Australian Machine Gun Company AIF, 18th Australian Infantry Battalion AIF
Victoria Cross citation
For most conspicuous bravery. During an attack on the enemy’s trenches the infantry was temporarily driven back by the intense machine-gun fire opened by the enemy. Many wounded were left in “No Man’s Land” lying in shell-holes. Sergeant Castleton went out twice in face of this intense fire and each time brought in a wounded man on his back. He went out a third time and was bringing in another wounded man when he was himself hit in the back and killed instantly. He set a splendid example of courage and self-sacrifice.
[1916 'Government Gazette Proclamations and Legislation', Commonwealth of Australia Gazette, 14 December, page 3379, accessed 8 Sep 2025, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article232455971.]