Military Medal : Private L Atherton, 8 Field Ambulance, AIF

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

6766 Private Lawrence 'Snowy' Atherton was born in Wagga Wagga, New South Wales, son of Francis and Lily Atherton. He was 19 years old and working as an assistant chemist when he enlisted at Liverpool, NSW, on 18 July 1915. Initially part of the 5th reinforcements to 19 Battalion, Atherton was later transferred to 'B' Section, 8 Australian Field Ambulance, AIF.

On 8 October 1915 'A' and 'B' sections left Sydney for Melbourne, where they camped at Albert Park. There they joined ' C' Section, which had been raised in Adelaide. Atherton embarked from Melbourne aboard HMAT Ascanius on 10 November and arrived in Egypt in mid December. The unit spent several months in Egypt. Their time was spent in training, drill, manoeuvres and learning advanced first aid.

The majority of the unit left Egypt on 18 June 1916 aboard the Transylvania, arriving in Marseilles on 23 June for service on the Western Front. Between 19 and 20 July 1916 8 Field Ambulance took part in the Battle of Fromelles. Some of the unit worked at a Regimental Aid Post (RAP), which was congested with wounded. Others were sent to the trenches to recover the wounded, such a difficult process due to the narrowness and 'zig-zag' construction of the trenches in this sector that it often took two hours to transport a wounded man to an RAP. After 36 hours, the majority of the stretcher bearers were sent behind the lines to rest.

8 Field Ambulance served at Armentieres and on the Somme, looking after wounded and the sick, until September 1917 when it moved to take part in the operations around Ypres. On 20 September the stretcher bearers went into the front line for 48 hours. They had a day in a rest area before going back into the front line on 23 September at Hooge, Clapham Junction and dug outs near the front line. There they spent 72 hours evacuating the wounded from waterlogged trenches, dug outs and shell holes. Other members of the unit worked at the RAPs under fire. The bearers at Hooge endured heavy shell fire and the unit received many casualties. It was during this time that Lawrence Atherton displayed the bravery for which he was awarded the Military Medal. The citation for the award reads: 'On the 24th. September. 1917, Private ATHERTON displayed great courage and devotion to duty and disregard of personal danger. While carrying wounded from HOOGE TUNNEL to BIRK CROSS ROADS he came under heavy shell fire but despite this fact he got his squad through without a casualty. On the 24th. September, a man was wounded about 150 yards from the lost (sic - Post) at which he was stationed. With a companion he at once went to his assistance, and in spite of heavy shelling he brought him back to the Dressing Station and subsequently carried him to the next Post.' On 26 September the stretcher bearers were relieved and enjoyed their first hot meal for five days.

In November 1917, Atherton's mother, Lily, requested his return to Australia for family reasons, however due to the lack of reinforcements to the front line he could not be spared and her request was denied. Other than two and a half weeks furlough in England in March 1918 Atherton remained with his unit for the rest of the war. After the Armistice he received a month's leave in Nice, France, between 12 November and 14 December 1918. Atherton returned to Australia on 25 February 1919 on board SS Balmoral Castle. During the return journey, due to his pre-war employment, he acted as Ship's Dispenser.