Silver War Badge : Captain J S Hurrey, 8 Battalion, AIF

Circular badge fitted with a brooch chain and pin. The words 'FOR KING AND EMPIRE SERVICES RENDERED' are stamped in raised lettering around the rim with a voided cypher and crown of King George V in the centre. The reverse has a hinged vertical pin clasp. Stamped on the reverse is the serial number 'A 65326'.

This badge was issued to members of both services who had served the Commonwealth overseas since 4 August 1914, and who, in the case of officers, had retired or relinquished their commissions, or, in the case of men, had been discharged because age, wounds or sickness rendered them permanently unfit for further service.

Married with two children and an engineer by trade, 30 year old James Steadman Hurrey enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force in December 1914. With several years of cadet and militia experience, he was appointed as a lieutenant with 5 Reinforcements, 8 Battalion, having passed an examination for the rank in January 1915. He embarked from Melbourne for overseas service aboard HMAT Hororata on 17 April 1915.

Hurrey landed at Gallipoli on 29 May 1915. In June he was admitted to hospital in Egypt with bronchitis, before returning to Gallipoli in August. In September he was on Lemnos to take command of G Company. In November he was again hospitalised with bronchitis, and in December with rheumatic fever. In March 1916 he moved with 8 Battalion to France and was promoted to captain on 13 April.

Hurrey was wounded in action on 28 July during the fighting at Pozieres, but remained on duty. For his actions during this engagement he was recommended for the Military Cross, but received instead a Mention in Despatches, which appeared in the London Gazette on 4 January 1917.

In October he again developed bronchitis which resulted in hospitalisation, first in France and then at 3 London General Hospital, England. He never recovered sufficiently to rejoin his unit and embarked for Australia aboard HMAT Ulysses on 13 February 1917. He arrived in Melbourne on 13 April and his appointment in the AIF was terminated on 30 June.