 Between 10 – 12 August 1918 , the 3rd Australian Division — of which the 40th Battalion was part — was ordered to attack from an easterly direction against the southern bank of the Somme River , and advance along the road past Proyart . On 12 August , the 40th Battalion was tasked with the objective of seizing and holding a valley to the south of the Proyart – Chuignes road . The advance entailed moving the battalion across approximately 1 @,@ 300 metres ( 1 @,@ 400 yd ) of open ground , while under the direct observation of German forces on high ground to the east of Proyart . At the same time , the 37th Battalion was to move through the village of Proyart itself , and proceed to a line just beyond the railway to the north of the Proyart – Chuignes road . It was during this action that Statton was to earn the Victoria Cross . 
