Edward Victor DCM (SN 617) was the name under which Edward Victor Giles served. He was born in Melbourne where he enlisted February 5th 1916. He was 28 years old, a bachelor employed as a bioscope operator. He was allocated to the 39th Infantry Battalion and embarked aboard the Ascanius on May 27th, reaching France in November 1916. During the fighting at Passchendaele in early December 1917 he earned a Distinguished Conduct Medal for ‘conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty during a raid on the enemy's trenches. He was sent forward to find a gap in the enemy's wire, and to return and act as guide to the raiding party. He found the gap, but was wounded in the knee on the way back, and was unable to move. He remained in "No Man's Land" during the barrage, and, when the party advanced, refused to be moved until he had seen them through the gap. His splendid courage and devotion to duty were a magnificent example to his comrades.’
On December 27th 917 he died of wounds incurred at Passchendaele, and is buried in Wimereux Communal Cemetery, France.