Military Medal : Private S J Heath, 19 Infantry Battalion, AIF

Places	Europe: France, Picardie, Somme, Amiens Europe: France, Picardie, Somme, Amiens Harbonnieres Area, Villers-Bretonneux Area
Accession Number	REL30572.001
Collection type	Heraldry
Object type	Award
Physical description	Silver
Maker	Royal Mint
Place made	United Kingdom
Date made	c 1917-1918
Conflict	First World War, 1914-1918

Description

Military Medal. Impressed around edge with recipient's details.

History / Summary

Associated with the service of 2707 Private Stanley James 'Darby' Heath, who was a 22 year old horse breaker from Narrabri, NSW, when he enlisted in the AIF on 29 August 1914. After initial training he was assigned as a driver to No 2 Section, 1 Divisional Ammunition Column. Heath sailed for overseas service from Brisbane on 25 September 1914, aboard the troopship HMAT Rangatira. After further training in Egypt the Column left to participate in the Gallipoli campaign. Reaching reaching Lemnos, where they unloaded stores and ammunition, most of the unit, including Heath, were returned to Egypt. As a result Heath asked to be transferred to the artillery. He was taken on strength as a gunner with 7 Battery Australian Field Artillery and landed on Gallipoli on 15 November 1915 for the final month of the campaign. In March 1916 he transferred as a driver to 103 Howitzer Battery, 4 Division Artillery and moved with the battery to France, transferring once more to 3 field Artillery Brigade in May 1916. After a year's service with this unit Heath was transferred, at his request, to 19 Infantry Battalion, as a private, on 27 April 1917, so that he could served in that unit with his brother. He received a gunshot wound to the leg at the Second Battle of Bullecourt on 3 May 1917 and was hospitalised or convalescent in England as a result, until July 1918 when he rejoined the battalion. Heath was awarded the Military Medal for actions which took place near Villers Bretonneux on 8 August 1918. The recommendation for the award reads, 'During the operation on the 8th August 1918, east of VILLERS BRETONNEUX near AMIEMS, Pte. HEATH showed great courage and gallantry whilst attacking an enemy machine gun post which hindered the advance of his platoon. His platoon officer having been wounded by machine gun fire from this post he volunteered to attack the post with his platoon N.C.O.; the two suceeded in capturing two machine guns with their crews and thus opened the way for the safe advance for the platoon.' On 14 September Heath left France to return to Australia on 'Special' or 'Anzac' leave. This was privilege was given to men who had been early 1914 enlistments and who were still on active service. Heath was discharged from the AIF on 23 January 1919.