Date of birth:

December 20th, 1891 (Numeralla/New South Wales, Australia)

Date of death:

August 25th, 1972 (Canberra/Australian Capital Territory, Australia)

Service number:

2143

Nationality:

Australian

Ernest Albert Corey worked as a blacksmith’s striker before enlisting in the Australian Imperial Force in 1916. He joined the 55th Battalion after marching with the “Men from Snowy River” recruiting campaign.

Initially assigned to a grenade section, Corey volunteered as a stretcher bearer and quickly distinguished himself. He earned his first Military Medal in May 1917 near Quéant, France, for carrying wounded soldiers under fire for 17 hours. He received three additional bars to his medal for similar acts of courage at Polygon Wood, Péronne, and Bellicourt, making him the only person ever awarded the Military Medal four times.

After being wounded in action in September 1918, Corey was medically discharged in 1919. He later served in the Second World War with the 2nd Garrison Battalion and worked various jobs in Canberra.

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Period:

First World War (1914-1918)

Rank:

Private

Unit:

55th Australian Battalion, 14th Australian Brigade, 5th Australian Division, Australian Military Forces

Awarded on:

July 18th, 1917

"During the enemy attack on front line facing Queant on 15th May 1917, Pte Corey, whilst acting as a stretcher bearer, showed great courage and devotion to duty. Although under direct enemy observation, he carried out his duties continuously for 17 hours without rest, and in a manner worthy of the highest commendation. Although an untrained stretcher bearer, he, together with the rest of the bearing party saved by first aid the lives of seriously wounded men. The Commander of the 54th Bn wrote an appreciation for the help given, and specially mentioned the stretcher bearing party for their good work."

Period:

First World War (1914-1918)

Unit:

55th Australian Battalion, 14th Australian Brigade, 5th Australian Division, Australian Military Forces

Awarded on:

January 14th, 1918

"This stretcher bearer showed great courage, devotion to duty and untiring energy during the attack on Polygon Wood on the 26th September 1917. The greatest danger did not deter this man from doing his duty when his services were required, and he tended the wounded and carried them to places of safety continuously throughout the engagement, often under very heavy artillery and machine gun fire. Throughout the whole operations he set a fine example of bravery and coolness to all ranks."

Originally recommended for the Distinguished Conduct Medal, Corey was instead awarded a Bar to his Military Medal.

Period:

First World War (1914-1918)

Rank:

Corporal

Unit:

55th Australian Battalion, 14th Australian Brigade, 5th Australian Division, Australian Military Forces

Awarded on:

March 13th, 1919

Period:

First World War (1914-1918)

Rank:

Corporal

Unit:

55th Australian Battalion, 14th Australian Brigade, 5th Australian Division, Australian Military Forces

Awarded on:

June 13th, 1919

Period:

First World War (1914-1918)

Period:

First World War (1914-1918)

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Private

Unit:

2nd Garrison Battalion, Citizen Military Forces (CMF), Australian Military Forces

• - SUPPLEMENT TO THE LONDON GAZETTE, 18 JULY, 1917
  - "No. 30476". The London Gazette (Supplement). 11 January 1918. p. 931.
  - "No. 31227". The London Gazette (Supplement). 11 March 1919. p. 3411.
  - "No. 31405". The London Gazette (Supplement). 13 June 1919. p. 7641.
  - Recommendations via AWM
  - Medal Group