Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Great War 1917 ‘Ypres’ M.M. and 1918 ‘Somme’ Second Award Bar group of three awarded to Private H. Bowden, 18th Australian Infantry Battalion, Australian Imperial Force, a Battalion Runner who was twice wounded in action during the course of the war

Military Medal, G.V.R., with Second Award Bar (3757 Pte H. Bowden. 18/Aust: Inf:); British War and Victory Medals (3757 Pte H. Bowden 18 Bn. A.I.F) mounted for display, VM erased, lacquered, good very fine or better (3) £1,000-£1,400

M.M. London Gazette 14 January 1918. The original recommendation states:

‘At Broodseinde Ridge, Belgium, on 9th October 1917 he acted as battalion runner and continually carried messages forward from battalion headquarters to companies in the assault passing each time through a heavy barrage. He worked untiringly and showed great devotion to duty. It was impossible at times to maintain telephone lines owing to enemy shellfire and communications were kept up mainly by the efforts and example of this runner.’

M.M. Second Award Bar London Gazette 11 February 1919. The original recommendation states:

‘During the operations at Mont St. Quentin near Peronne, France, on the night 30/31 August 1918 important messages had to be sent to the companies in the line in connection with the operations. The night was very dark and the exact positions of the companies were not known. On two occasions, this man, as battalion runner, carried messages through heavy enemy shellfire over rough country and delivered them safely. It was of great importance that the messages be delivered, and it was due to the courage and devotion to duty shown by this man that the operation was brought to a successful conclusion. On one of the runs when returning, his companion was wounded. Private Bowden carried him out of danger.’

H. Bowden was born in England in 1886, and enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force, 27 September 1915. He served with the 18th Australian Infantry Battalion in the French theatre of war from 3 April 1916, being wounded in action, 20 September 1917, and receiving a gun shot wound to the face, 20 May 1918. Bowden returned to Australia in May 1919.