British War Medal 1914-20 : Corporal E A Corey, 55th Battalion, AIF

British War Medal 1914-20. Impressed around edge with recipient's details.

Ernest Albert Corey was born near Cooma, New South Wales on 20 December 1891. Educated at Thubergal Lake Public School, Corey was a 24 year old labourer when he joined the Men from Snowy River recruitment march and enlisted in the AIF at Nimmitabel on 13 January 1916.

Posted to 55th Battalion as private 2143, Corey embarked on 4 September and joined his battalion near Guillemont, France on 8 February 1917. His first front line action was on 2 April in fighting around Doignies. A few weeks later Corey was involved in the action for which he was awarded the first or four Military Medals that he would receive during the course of the war.

On the first occasion near Queant in May, Corey volunteered to act as a stretcher bearer and spent 17 hours retrieving the wounded and was instrumental in the saving of many men’s lives. The award was given with immediate effect. A second Military Medal was awarded for his courage under fire near Polygon Wood in September 1917. A third Military Medal was awarded for his courage and inspiration under heavy fire near Peronne in September 1918.

The final action for which Corey received his fourth Military Medal occurred while the battalion was taking part in an attack on the Hindenburg Line on 30 September 1918, nine days after he had been promoted to corporal. In the fighting Corey was seriously wounded in the leg and saw no further action.

He returned to Australia in May 1919 and settled in Cooma for a couple of years before moving to Canberra. During the Second World War he served in the 13th Garrison Battalion at Port Kembla. Corey died on 25 August 1972 at Queanbeyan and was buried with full military honours.