He was 26 years old, and a second lieutenant in the 7th Battalion, (Victoria), Australian Imperial Force during the First World War when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.

On 8–9 August 1915, at Lone Pine, Gallipoli, Turkey, Symons was in command of a section of newly captured trenches and repelled several counter-attacks with great coolness.

The sap was then attacked from three sides and this officer managed, in the face of heavy fire, to build a barricade.

[1] On 2 February 1916, Lt. Col. (later Major-General) Harold "Pompey" Elliott, commanding the 7th Battalion, wrote to his wife Kate about the action at Lone Pine when the 7th won four Victoria Crosses, including Symons.

In a trench described as being full of dead men, blood and brains, Symons succeeded to Elliott's admiration.