Studio portrait of 6427 Lance Corporal (L Cpl) Robert Perciful Roy (Roy) Bolger MM, 12th Field ...

Studio portrait of 6427 Lance Corporal (L Cpl) Robert Perciful Roy (Roy) Bolger MM, 12th Field Ambulance. A shunter from Encounter Bay, SA prior to enlistment, L Cpl Bolger enlisted with the rank of Private with the 12th Reinforcements, 4th Field Ambulance from Adelaide on RMS Malwa on 2 December 1915. Later transferring to the 8th Field Ambulance and then to the 12th Field Ambulance he was promoted to Lance Corporal. On 5th April 1918 he was awarded the Military Medal. The citation reads "L Cpl Bolger showed exceptional courage and devotion to duty under very heavy shell fire while carrying wounded from the RAP about three quarters of a mile south-east of Millencourt, west of Albert. Shortly after the commencement of the enemy attack about 7 a.m. he continued to carry for many hours and when the other members of his squad were too fatigued to carry on he continued his work under heavy shell fire with fresh helpers. His disregard of personal danger and his cheery optimism under the most trying of conditions inspired his fellow bearers to greater efforts and he was at all times a source of comfort to the wounded." Later promoted to Lance Sergeant, he returned to Australia on 6 May 1920