Distinguished Conduct Medal : Warrant Officer Class II F G Jurd, 5 Pioneer Battalion, AIF

Distinguished Conduct Medal (Geo V). Impressed around edge with recipient's details.

Frederick George Jurd was born in London in 1870, and enlisted in the Royal Marines at the age of 19. He emigrated to Australia some time after 1910. On 15 August 1914, aged 43, Jurd enlisted in the naval contingent of the Australian Naval and Military Expeditionary Force as an Able Seaman serving with it until January 1915. In May 1915, he enlisted as a private in 2 Infantry Battalion AIF. He joined the Battalion on Gallipoli and served with it until the evacuation. In 1916, he was posted to 5 Pioneer Battalion, and served with it for the remainder of the war, rising to the rank of warrant officer. Jurd was decorated three times in 1918, receiving the Distinguished Conduct Medal, the Military Medal and the Belgian Croix de Guerre. He returned to Australia in February 1919, and was discharged medically unfit due to a gun shot wound to his right leg, suffered at Bellicourt. Frederick Jurd died in Sydney in 1939. The recommendation for his Distinguished Conduct Medal reads 'During the period 25th February to 16th September 1918, this W.O. has been C.S.M. of "C" Company. During February and March, around Messines, his Company were digging communication trenches and on several occasions C.S.M. JURD displayed conspicuous gallantry under heavy fire, and by his coolness and leadership undoubtedly greatly influenced the men under his command. During the attack in front of Villers-Bretonneux, on 8th August 1918 his Company were engaged in preparing the road between that village and the front line. The task was to keep the road up to the Infantry and make it ready for the advance of armoured cars. The work was completed well ahead of schedule time, and this W.O. was of very material assistance in bringing this work to a successful issue. While this was well in hand C.S.M. JURD organised small parties for the purpose of removing land mines, and, in other cases, fenced them around and put up warning notices. His prompt action undoubtedly saved casualties and material.'

• Military Medal : Warrant Officer Class II F G Jurd, 5 Pioneer Battalion, AIF
• 1914-15 Star : Able Seaman F G Jurd, RAN
• British War Medal 1914-20 : Warrant Officer Class II F G Jurd, 2 Battalion, AIF
• Victory Medal : Warrant Officer Class II F G Jurd, 2 Battalion, AIF
• Belgian Croix de Guerre : Warrant Officer Class II F G Jurd, 5 Pioneer Battalion, AIF