William Currey: Difference between revisions
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Australian war historian [[Charles Bean| C.E.W. Bean]] described the final act of Currey's heroism thus ''At 3 am when efforts to reach (a Lt Waite in an advanced position) having failed Private Currey volunteered to make his third attempt and going out far into the disputed front he stood up and called with all his lung power. "Waitsy! Get in." The Germans turned on him every weapon they had; he was gassed and his respirator was shot through. But Waite had heard him and returned.''<ref name="hansard1" /> |
Australian war historian [[Charles Bean| C.E.W. Bean]] described the final act of Currey's heroism thus ''At 3 am when efforts to reach (a Lt Waite in an advanced position) having failed Private Currey volunteered to make his third attempt and going out far into the disputed front he stood up and called with all his lung power. "Waitsy! Get in." The Germans turned on him every weapon they had; he was gassed and his respirator was shot through. But Waite had heard him and returned.''<ref name="hansard1" /> |
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== Rememberances == |
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Currey's Victoria Cross is displayed at the [[Australian War Memorial]] in [[Canberra]], Australia |
Currey's Victoria Cross is displayed at the [[Australian War Memorial]] in [[Canberra]], Australia |
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Following a public appeal in 1956 a plaque was erected in memory of Currey in the Speakers Square within the [[Parliament of New South Wales| NSW Parliament]] complex. During renovations in the 1970s the plaque was put into storage for safekeeping and was only rediscovered and restored to its place in 2008.<ref name='Hansard2'> {{cite journal|title=Remembrance Day: William Matthew Currey, VC, Commemorative Plaque|journal=Hansard of the Legislative Assembley, Parliament of NSW|date=11 November 2008|first=John|last=Aqulina|coauthors=|volume=|issue=|pages=11122|id= |url=http://www.parliament.nsw.gov.au/prod/parlment/hansart.nsf/V3Key/LA20081111046|format=|accessdate=2009-07-12 }}</ref> |
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In 1976, the ''Jeffries and Currey Memorial Library'' was opened by the [[Governor of New South Wales]], [[Arthur Roden Cutler|Sir Roden Cutler]], at Dudley Public School to honour two of the school's pupils who were decorated with the Victoria Cross during the First World War: [[Clarence Jeffries]] and William Currey.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.warmemorialsnsw.asn.au/Details.cfm?MemNo=516|title=Jeffries and Currey Memorial Library|accessdate=20 September 2008|dateformat=dmy|work=Register of War Memorials in New South Wales|publisher=New South Wales Government & Returned and Services League of Australia (New South Wales Branch)}}</ref> The pair are also commemorated by the ''Capt. Clarence Smith Jeffries (V.C.) and Pte. William Matthew Currey (V.C.) Memorial Wall'' located in the grounds of Sandgate General Cemetery, Newcastle, which was unveiled in an official ceremony on 16 April 2000.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.warmemorialsnsw.asn.au/Details.cfm?MemNo=503|title=The Capt. Clarence Smith Jeffries (V.C.) and Pte. William Matthew Currey (V.C.) Memorial Wall|accessdate=20 September 2008|dateformat=dmy|work=Register of War Memorials in New South Wales|publisher=New South Wales Government & Returned and Services League of Australia (New South Wales Branch)}}</ref> |
In 1976, the ''Jeffries and Currey Memorial Library'' was opened by the [[Governor of New South Wales]], [[Arthur Roden Cutler|Sir Roden Cutler]], at Dudley Public School to honour two of the school's pupils who were decorated with the Victoria Cross during the First World War: [[Clarence Jeffries]] and William Currey.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.warmemorialsnsw.asn.au/Details.cfm?MemNo=516|title=Jeffries and Currey Memorial Library|accessdate=20 September 2008|dateformat=dmy|work=Register of War Memorials in New South Wales|publisher=New South Wales Government & Returned and Services League of Australia (New South Wales Branch)}}</ref> The pair are also commemorated by the ''Capt. Clarence Smith Jeffries (V.C.) and Pte. William Matthew Currey (V.C.) Memorial Wall'' located in the grounds of Sandgate General Cemetery, Newcastle, which was unveiled in an official ceremony on 16 April 2000.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.warmemorialsnsw.asn.au/Details.cfm?MemNo=503|title=The Capt. Clarence Smith Jeffries (V.C.) and Pte. William Matthew Currey (V.C.) Memorial Wall|accessdate=20 September 2008|dateformat=dmy|work=Register of War Memorials in New South Wales|publisher=New South Wales Government & Returned and Services League of Australia (New South Wales Branch)}}</ref> |
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Revision as of 05:56, 12 July 2009
William Matthew Currey VC (born Wallsend September 19, 1895[1] - died Bexley April 30, 1948[1]) was an Australian politician [2], labourer and railway worker, citizen soldier and whilst a member of the First AIF a recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.
Details
He was 22 years old, and a private in the 53rd Bn (N.S.W.), Australian Imperial Force during the First World War when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.
On 1 September 1918 in the attack on Péronne, France, Private Currey rushed forward under heavy machine-gun fire and captured single-handed a 77mm field gun which had been holding up the advance, killing all the crew. Later, when the advance was checked by an enemy strong-point he crept round the flank and engaged the post with a Lewis gun, then rushed it, causing many casualties. Subsequently he volunteered to carry orders for withdrawal to an isolated company, doing so under heavy fire and bringing back valuable information. The citation published in the London Gazette of 14th December 1918 concluded that his behaviour was a striking example of coolness, determination and utter disregard of danger... and his gallant work contributed largely to the success of the operation.[3]
Australian war historian C.E.W. Bean described the final act of Currey's heroism thus At 3 am when efforts to reach (a Lt Waite in an advanced position) having failed Private Currey volunteered to make his third attempt and going out far into the disputed front he stood up and called with all his lung power. "Waitsy! Get in." The Germans turned on him every weapon they had; he was gassed and his respirator was shot through. But Waite had heard him and returned.[3]
Rememberances
Currey's Victoria Cross is displayed at the Australian War Memorial in Canberra, Australia
Following a public appeal in 1956 a plaque was erected in memory of Currey in the Speakers Square within the NSW Parliament complex. During renovations in the 1970s the plaque was put into storage for safekeeping and was only rediscovered and restored to its place in 2008.[4]
In 1976, the Jeffries and Currey Memorial Library was opened by the Governor of New South Wales, Sir Roden Cutler, at Dudley Public School to honour two of the school's pupils who were decorated with the Victoria Cross during the First World War: Clarence Jeffries and William Currey.[5] The pair are also commemorated by the Capt. Clarence Smith Jeffries (V.C.) and Pte. William Matthew Currey (V.C.) Memorial Wall located in the grounds of Sandgate General Cemetery, Newcastle, which was unveiled in an official ceremony on 16 April 2000.[6]
Later Life
He was the member for Kogarah in the New South Wales Legislative Assembly from 1941 till his death. He represented the ALP.
References
- ^ a b "First Australian Imperial Forces personnel dossiers (World War I service records) Item 1935351" (PDF). National Archives of Australia. Australian Government. 2009. Retrieved 2009-07-12.
- ^ "Mr William Matthew CURREY (1895 - 1948)". Former Members Index A-Z. Parliament of NSW. 21st October 2008. Retrieved 28 January 2009.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|date=(help); Cite has empty unknown parameter:|coauthors=(help) - ^ a b McGirr, James (12th May 1948). "Death of W. M. Currey Esq, VC, M.L.A.". Hansard of the Legislative Assembley, Parliament of NSW: 3129.
{{cite journal}}:|access-date=requires|url=(help); Check date values in:|date=(help); Cite has empty unknown parameter:|coauthors=(help) - ^ Aqulina, John (11 November 2008). "Remembrance Day: William Matthew Currey, VC, Commemorative Plaque". Hansard of the Legislative Assembley, Parliament of NSW: 11122. Retrieved 2009-07-12.
{{cite journal}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter:|coauthors=(help) - ^ "Jeffries and Currey Memorial Library". Register of War Memorials in New South Wales. New South Wales Government & Returned and Services League of Australia (New South Wales Branch). Retrieved 20 September 2008.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|dateformat=ignored (help) - ^ "The Capt. Clarence Smith Jeffries (V.C.) and Pte. William Matthew Currey (V.C.) Memorial Wall". Register of War Memorials in New South Wales. New South Wales Government & Returned and Services League of Australia (New South Wales Branch). Retrieved 20 September 2008.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|dateformat=ignored (help)
External links
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