The Australian Army tested different types of tanks to determine their suitability for the region and style of operations.  The official captions reads "MADANG, NEW GUINEA. 1944-10-12. A Churchill V followed by a Churchill IV tank returning to the tank park during tests conducted at HQ 4 Armoured Brigade."  The Churchill was not taken up, the final selection being the British Matilda II.

Churchills at Madang

Private Hughes' citation for the Military medal reads as follows - 

"Private Timothy Hughes - 2/10 Australian Infantry Battalion, is approved for the award of the Military Medal for conspicuous gallantry and bravery during the Buna Aerodrome action.

At 0700 hours, 26 December 1942, No. 9 Platoon, A Company 2/10 Battalion reached its objective in the centre of Buna Strip and came under heavy enemy machine gun fire from both sides of the strip and from machine gun posts south and east of Dispersal Bay.

The Platoon was definitely pinned down.  To allow the Platoon to dig in, Private Hughes volunteered to climb on top of the Dispersal Bay under concentrated fire from three directions.  From this position he engaged two of the enemy posts with grenades.

Private Hughes returned for a Thompson sub-machine gun and from his position on the Dispersal Bay gave covering fire while his Platoon moved into cover.

During the period his Platoon was consolidating he made three separate sorties with grenades and Thompson sub-machine-gun.

Private Hughes showed remarkable bravery, exceptional coolness and initiative.  His total disregard for his own safety set a fine example throughout the Platoon and also throughout the Company."

Speaks for itself.  Best regards, JR.

Private Timothy Hughes, MM - native Australian.

Official caption: "MADANG, NEW GUINEA. 1944-10. A Churchill VII tank being assisted from a bog by a Sherman M4A2 medium tank and another Churchill VII tank during tests conducted at HQ 4 Armoured Brigade."
All these tanks were provided by the British Army.
Items of note: 
1: The Churchill in the foreground is devoid of any mudguards and it is hard to make out if the other has them fitted or not.
2: The captions states that the Sherman is an M4A2 but it clearly has a composite hull.  The following info comes from the Anzac Steel website.
"Tank No. T263412, an M4 manufactured by the Chrysler Corporation (serial No. 59427), had a welded rear hull with cast front. It had rubber chevron tracks, solid bogie wheels, early style sprocket and solid idler. The gun was mounted in an M34A1 Gun Mount, and the turret had a loader's hatch. Applique plates were welded on the hull sides. This tank carried the name 'The Stag' during the jungle trials"
