Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Great War 1918 ‘Beaurevoir Line’ Stretcher Bearer’s M.M. awarded to Private J. Hollingsworth, 23rd Australian Infantry Battalion, Australian Imperial Force

Military Medal, G.V.R. (742 Pte. J. Hollingsworth. 23-A.I.F.) a later issue, with fixed suspension, very fine £300-£400

M.M. London Gazette 3 July 1919. The original recommendation states:

‘This man acted as a Stretcher Bearer during the operations near Beaurevoir, east of Peronne on the night 3/4th October 1918. All through the battle his work was marked by singular coolness and determination under heavy machine gun and artillery fire.

He worked assiduously for two days and nights with practically no sleep, evacuating our own and enemy wounded, and assisting flank companies with their wounded.

His gallant and courageous conduct acted as a great incentive to the men of his party.’

John Hollingsworth served during the Great War with the 23rd Australian Infantry Battalion from 1 March 1915.

Service records indicate that a duplicate M.M. was issued in 1936 after the original was lost in a Bush Fire.