Military Medal : Lance Corporal J V Lihou, 13 Battalion, AIF

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

James Victor 'Jimmy' Lihou was born in Dubbo, NSW on 6 February 1895, the eldest of the seven children of Stephen and Eliza Lihou. He was educated at Wongarbon Public School. Prior to the First World War he earned a living as a farm hand on properties in the area. Lihou enlisted on 15 January 1916 at Dubbo. He was posted to the 18th Reinforcements for 13 Battalion (13Bn). He embarked on the HMAT (A46) Clan McGillivray on 3 May 1916. In October, following training, he joined the battalion at Reninghelst, Belgium. Lihou was wounded during the attack on Stormy Trench near Gueudecourt, on 5 February 1917, and again during the First Battle of Bullecourt on 11 April. On 1 October, he was promoted to lance corporal.

On 26 March 1918, the day he was promoted to corporal, Lihou's battalion took part in an assault on the village of Hebuterne, suspected of being held by the Germans. Though the majority of the village was easily secured, the Germans were determined to break through the allied line at Hebuterne as part of General Ludendorff's 'Michael' Offensive. For 19 days, the battalion withstood withering artillery barrages and ground assaults, while mounting their own offensive attacks. In the face of such determined resistance, the Germans finally withdrew.

Recommendations for the exceptional conduct of members of the battalion were so numerous that the number had to be continually revised down. It was a difficult task though, finally, 70 recommendations were forwarded for special mention. For his actions in the fighting at Hebuterne, Corporal Lihou was presented with the Military Medal by General Sir William Riddell Birdwood on 26 May. The original recommendation for the award has not survived.

Lihou was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal (DCM) for actions during the Battle of Hamel in July and promoted to sergeant the following month. On 18 September, he was killed rushing a machine gun post in fighting near the village of Le Verguier. For his gallantry he was posthumously awarded a Bar to his DCM. His body was not recovered and he is commemorated on the Villers Bretonneux Memorial.