Today in Australian military history - 30th September, 1918 - Lance Corporal Ernest Albert Corey, awarded third bar to Military Medal. Lance-Corporal Ernest Corey, a stretcher bearer with the 55th Battalion, awarded a third bar to his Military Medal, first awarded on 5 May 1917. The awarding of four Military Medals is a unique feat. Corey was born in Numeralla, NSW, in 1891. He enlisted in 1916 as part of the Men from Snowy River recruitment march in the southern highlands of NSW, served throughout the war as a stretcher bearer with 55 Battalion, and remains the only man in the British Empire to be awarded the Military Medal with three Bars. The first award of the MM was made for the fighting around Bullecourt in May 1917, where Corey worked assisting the wounded, in full view of the enemy, for 17 hours. In September of the same year, he received the first Bar to the award for his bravery at Polygon Wood. The second Bar came a year later, in the attack on Peronne by 5 Australian Division, and before the end of September 1918, a third Bar, for the attack on the Hindenburg Line near Bellicourt, was also earned. In this last operation, Corey was severely wounded, and was repatriated to Australia in 1919. Between the wars he held a variety of jobs, and served with 13 Garrison Battalion during the Second World War. Ernie Corey died in 1972. Military Medal Citation: During the enemy attack on front line facing QUEANT on 15th May 1917, Private Corey, whilst acting as a stretcher bearer, showed great courage and devotion to duty. Although under direct enemy observation, he carried out his duties continuously for 17 hours without rest, and in a manner worthy of the highest commendation. Although an untrained stretcher bearer, he, together with the rest of the bearing party, saved by first aid the lives of seriously wounded men. The commander of the 54th Battalion wrote an appreciative letter for the help given, and specially mentioned the stretcher bearing party for their good work. Source: Commonwealth Gazette No. 189 Date: 8 November 1917 Bar to Military Medal Citation: This stretcher bearer showed great courage, devotion to duty and untiring energy during the attack on Polygon Wood on the 26th September 1917. The greatest danger did not deter this man from doing his duty when his services were required, and he tended the wounded and carried them to places of safety continuously throughout the engagement, often under very heavy artillery and machine gun fire. Throughout the whole operations he set a fine example of bravery and coolness to all ranks. Source: Commonwealth Gazette Date: 23 May 1918 2nd Bar to Military Medal Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty during operations at PERONNE on 1st and 2nd September 1918. This man, who is a stretcher bearer, dressed and carried wounded of several units throughout the whole operation. Although the enemy artillery and Machine Gun fire was exceptionally heavy this did not debar Private COREY from carrying on. He worked continuously and arduously and was the means of saving the lives of many wounded. He was most unselfish throughout and cheerful at all times and under all circumstances. His conduct was a great example to all his comrades. His careful handling of the wounded and his knowledge of first-aid helped greatly to relieve their sufferings. His was a fine example of courage, coolness and devotion to duty under heavy fire. Source: Commonwealth Gazette Date: 17 June 1919 3rd Bar to Military Medal Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty as HCO in charge of Battalion Stretcher-Bearers during an attack on the Hindenburg Line north of Bellicourt on 30 September 1918. Although the enemy machine guns and shell fire were intense, this gallant N.C.O. directed the operations of the Battalion stretcher bearers with the utmost skill and bravery. Regardless of personal danger, he, on numerous occasions although the enemy were firing upon him and other bearer parties, attended to men and carried them from the utmost positions. His efforts were untiring and he set a splendid example to all ranks until he was severely wounded. It was mainly due to his magnificent work that the wounded were safely removed from the danger zone. Source: Commonwealth Gazette No. 115 Date: 10 October 1919
Posted on: Mon, 29 Sep 2014 21:00:00 +0000
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