Military Medal : Private J Hurley, 52nd Battalion, AIF

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

Military Medal awarded to 2675 Private James Hurley, 52nd Battalion, AIF. A labourer of Rockhampton, Hurley enlisted on 23 March 1916 aged 33, and was assigned to the fourth reinforcements of the 52nd Battalion (4th Division). He joined his unit in France in January 1917; his involvement in the Battle of Messines in Belgium saw him withdrawn with trench fever. After treatment in England, he returned to France, but in November of that year he received a gunshot wound to his hand, losing the end of his left thumb, and was gassed at the same time. After his recovery, he rejoined his battalion on 16 February 1918.

When the threat of the German 'Operation Michael' pressed westwards in early April 1918, the 4th Division was deployed from Belgium to defend positions south of the River Ancre in France. At Dernancourt, on 5 April, the 52nd Battalion assisted in the repulse of the largest German attack mounted against Australian troops during the war. For his actions as a stretcher bearer during this long engagement, Private Hurley was awarded the Military Medal.

The citation for the award reads: "For great courage and devotion to duty at Dernancourt on 5 April 1918. He was employed as a stretcher-bearer and exhibited great personal courage and endurance. He performed his duties in a splendid manner, working throughout the day, and was constantly under heavy shell and machine gun fire."

Hurley was again wounded at Villers-Bretonneaux on 26 April, suffering a severe gunshot wound to his left leg and foot and was sent to England for treatment. He returned to his unit on 18 August and was transferred to 41st Battalion on 23 October. He returned to Australia in March 1919.

Hurley's Military Medal was presented to him by Major General Sir William Glasgow, his former brigade commander, at a public medal award ceremony at the Post Office Corner in Rockhampton on 11 February 1920, when Hurley was working for the Queensland Railways.

His daughter recalls he was known as "Digger" by his fellow railway employees, and wore this medal under his lapel at the few Anzac Day marches he attended,rather than draw attention to himself.