Informal portrait of William Walter Boswell wearing a his Military Medal (MM) with two Bars, ...

Informal portrait of William Walter Boswell wearing a his Military Medal (MM) with two Bars, only one of 15 Australians to receive this combination during the First World War. 3719 Private (Pte) William Walter Boswell, 2nd Battalion, of Mudgee, NSW, enlisted on 10 June 1915 but spent until 23 October 1915 in the military field hospital at Liverpool, NSW, due to illness. He was cleared for duty and embarked aboard HMAT Medic on 30 December 1915 from Sydney. On 25 October 1916 he was awarded the MM for his action at Pozieres on 5th August 1916 to 8th August 1916 acting as stretcher bearer and caring for the wounded. On 11 November 1916 he was promoted to lance corporal. On 15 March 1918 he was promoted to temporary corporal. On 6 May 1918 he was awarded a Bar to his MM for his actions on 5 April 1918 at Albert, France, carrying for the wounded and organising stretcher bearers. On 5 May 1918 he was promoted to corporal with the 45th Battalion. On 17 June 1919 he was awarded a second Bar for conspicuous bravery and devotion to duty: 'On the morning of 18 September 1918, his battalion was attacking Bellenglise, this NCO, who was in charge of stretcher bearers, remained in a heavy barrage dressing and assisting wounded. His unfaltering courage, not only promoted the admiration of the wounded, but his care and attention was of inestimable benefit to them'.