George Cartwright was a farmhand on an Elsmore property when, on December 9, 1915 he joined the Australian Imperial Force at Inverell.

Almost a year later he and his company were shipped to France to begin combat in the First World War.

In 1918 Private George Cartwright was awarded the Victoria Cross medal, a feat that has seen his name honoured around Inverell in many respects, including a park and also the auditorium at the RSM Club.

The ribbon bar was purchased by the Sub-Branch for $2,600 in an intense bidding war against one other potential buyer last Saturday.

“We were highlighted to the sale by one of our members last week,” said sub-branch President Peter Morris.

“I happened to be in Sydney at the time and had the chance to inspect the ribbon bar, where I found it to be in very good condition, particularly if you consider that it is nearly 100 years old.”

The RSL sub-branch is planning to display the ribbon bar, along with a photo of Cartwright and other memorabilia, within the RSM Club when the ribbon bar arrives in Inverell sometime next month.

The sub-branch kept within their allocated budget to purchase the medal bar, but had offers from two local identities to help fund them if bidding went above budget.

“We are really pleased to have been able to bring back this piece of history to Inverell, and the offers from people to help fund us were greatly appreciated,” Mr Morris said.

As reported in the London Gazette on December 14 1918, Private George Cartwright was awarded his Victoria Cross for most conspicuous bravery on the morning of August 31, 1918, during the attack on Red Wood.

When two companies were held up by machine-gun fire from the south-western edge of the wood, without hesitation Private Cartwright moved against the gun in a most deliberate manner under intense fire.

He shot three of the team and having bombed the post, captured the gun and nine enemy.

Throughout the operation Private Cartwright displayed wonderful dash, grim determination and courage of the highest order, the London Gazette reported.