 John Woods Whittle , VC , DCM ( 3 August 1882 – 2 March 1946 ) was an Australian recipient of the Victoria Cross , the highest decoration for gallantry " in the face of the enemy " that can be awarded to members of the British and British Commonwealth armed forces . Whittle was serving as a sergeant in the First World War when he was decorated with the Victoria Cross following two separate actions against German forces during their retreat to the Hindenburg Line in 1917 . In the latter action , he attacked a machine gun crew , killing the group and seizing the gun . 
