Rayene Stewart Simpson (1926-1978) (VC, DCM) was an Australian recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.

Early life

Simpson was born on 16 February 1926 at Chippendale, New South Wales.

Military service

He was 43 years old, and a Warrant Officer II in the Australian Army Training Team, Australian Forces during the Vietnam War when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.

On 6 May 1969 in the Kontum Provence , Vietnam, Warrant Officer Class Two Simpson rescued a wounded fellow warrant Officer and carried out an unsuccessful attack on a strong enemy position. On 11 May he fought alone against heavy odds to cover the evacuation of a number of casualties.

His Victoria Cross is displayed at the Australian War Memorial, Canberra, Australia.

Reference

• The Last Eleven? (Mark Adkin, 1991)
• Monuments To Courage (David Harvey, 1999)
• The Register of the Victoria Cross (This England, 1997)

External links

• WOII R.S. SIMPSON, VC, DCM (biography plus detailed action account)

This page has been migrated from the Victoria Cross Reference with permission.