Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

William Montague Bell CORY was born in Clermont, Brisbane on 10th November, 1884

His parents were Henry CORY & Mary Ann BELL

He married Maida SCOTT in Queensland on 24th June, 1925, his 2nd marriage was to Katherine MacDONALD on 1st January, 1938 in Queensland

He served in both WW1 and WW2

William died at his home in Ashgrove Brisbane on 22nd March, 1958 and is buried in the Lutwyche Cemetery

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His brother Henry Vincent Bell CORY (SN 21331)  died from pneumonia on 14th February, 1917 (WW1)

From the Australian Remembrance Army
 
Capt William Montague Bell Cory
Service No: 307
Rank: Captain
Unit: 4th Machine Gun Battalion

Our group of volunteers were honoured to be granted family permission to restore the lettering to the granite headstone of Captain William Montague Bell Cory and his wife Katherine. Their grave is located in Portion 6 at Lutwyche Cemetery, with the headstone and grave surrounds constructed from grey granite. We thank Brisbane City Council, who manage Lutwyche Cemetery, for their permission to undertake these works on behalf of family, and for their continued support of this voluntary work.

𝗪𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗮𝗺 𝗠𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗴𝘂𝗲 𝗕𝗲𝗹𝗹 𝗖𝗼𝗿𝘆 was born on 10 November 1884 in Clermont, Queensland to parents Mary Anne Bell and Henry Cory. His parents were married in New South Wales in 1877, before moving to Queensland in the early 1880s. William was the third born of five children and had one sister. His older two siblings, Maimilene and Henry, were born in New South Wales, with younger brothers Gilbert and Fitzroy born in Queensland. Sadly, Gilbert died at the age of 5 years 11 months.

William’s father was one of the pioneer settlers of Queensland and was involved in the grazing industry, taking up a selection of 4,000 square miles of land at Longreach. This selection was called Tocal and was situated between the Barcoo and Thompson Rivers. Tocal was sold in the early 1900s and the family moved to a property in Warwick named Vermont. Vermont comprised some 1,500 acres and had a frontage nearly a mile long on the Condamine River. It was at Vermont that William gained pastoral experience under the guidance of his father. Vermont remains in the Cory family to this day.

On 24 August 1914, William enlisted at Warwick to serve with the AIF. He embarked with the 2nd Light Horse Regiment per HMAT “Star of England” from Brisbane, Queensland on 24 September 1914, disembarking at Egypt. On 9 May 1915, William proceeded from Alexandria to join the Mediterranean Expeditionary Force at Gallipoli. He was transferred to the Machine Gun Section on 20 September, and was promoted to Lance Corporal. He returned to Alexandria per “Ionian” three months later, disembarking from the front on 26 December 1915.

William was transferred to 13th Infantry Battalion in Assiut, Egypt on 4 March 1916. Eight days later he was taken on strength of the 50th Battalion from the 2nd Light Horse Regiment, promoted to Second Lieutenant and seconded for duty with the 13th Machine Gun Company. He was taken on strength of the 13th Machine Gun Battalion two days after being seconded and attained qualification as a Second-Class Instructor in Ismailia, Egypt in April.

On 6 June 1916, William embarked per “Missouri” at Alexandria, proceeding to join the British Expeditionary Force in France. He disembarked at Marseilles on 13 June, and was promoted to Lieutenant in the field on 10 July 1916. In September 1917, William was recommended for the Military Cross. The report states, “During the period 26/02/1917 to 20/09/1917 this Officer has performed consistent good work. He has been in every action in which the Brigade has taken part, and in every case his cheerfulness, determination, hard work and good leadership have formed an invaluable help.” On 1 January 1918, the London Gazette published that William had been awarded the Military Cross.

On 1 March 1918, William was granted temporary rank of Captain while commanding the 13th Machine Gun Company. His designation was changed to the 4th Machine Gun Battalion in April and he was promoted from Temporary Captain to Captain in France on 10 May 1918.

William was recommended for the Bar to Military Cross in August 1918, for conspicuous gallantry during a night attack on the French village of Etinehem. “Captain Cory commanded 16 Guns, assisting the 13th Brigade in the encircling operation against Etinehem. Although his guns were all in position on the South side of the Somme, and on a wide front, and only very short notice could be given, Captain Cory had his guns in position at zero and moved off with the advancing Infantry. He personally made a very daring and valuable reconnaissance of the new proposed positions, siting his guns to cover the consolidation, and sent back very early information to Battalion H.Q. Captain Cory has taken his Company into three attacks in 5 days with the best possible results, and his personal example, and disregard for danger, inspired all ranks.” William was awarded the Bar to Military Cross on 18 October 1918.

William was detached to Machine Gun School in Camiers, France on 21 October, rejoining his unit on 8 November 1918. He proceeded to the 1st Training Brigade in England on 6 February 1919, pending decision on his application for early repatriation. William was returned to Australia per HMT “Anchises”, embarking at Devonport, England on 28 February and disembarking at Brisbane, Queensland, Australia on 20 April 1919.

On his arrival home from war, William returned to his work as a grazier, and was appointed overseer at “Alice Downs”, Blackall before being appointed Manager of the property in 1924. In 1928, William resigned from his position at the property and purchased “Glenlee”, a property in the Springsure District of Queensland. William lived on this 14,631-acre property, working as a grazier until 1954, when he listed it for public auction.

William married twice, but did not have any children. He married his first wife Maida Scott in 1925 but she sadly passed away at “Glenlee” in 1936, aged 54 years. His second wife Katherine MacDonald was Matron of Springsure Hospital and married William in 1938.

On 17 May 1942, William enlisted for service in WW2 at Springsure. He was taken on strength of the 14th Battalion Volunteer Defence Corps (QLD) and promoted to Corporal on 30 December 1942. He was placed on reserve in July 1944 and discharged on 21 October 1945. His brother Henry Vincent Bell Cory served with the Australian Field Artillery during WW1. He died from pneumonia on 14 February 1917 and was buried at Tidworth Military Cemetery in England. His other brother Fitzroy Bell Cory enlisted on 13 May 1942 and served with the 8th Battalion Volunteer Defence Corps (QLD). He was discharged on 21 October 1945. Two of Fitzroy’s sons also served during WW2. Charles Francis Cory with the Royal Australian Air Force (1943 – 1946) and John Henry Cory with the Australian Army (1941 – 1946). Another son of Fitzroy, David Wheatcroft Cory, was a member of the Queensland Legislative Assembly for Warwick, holding office from 1963 – 1977, Chairman of the Warwick Branch of the Graziers Association of South East Queensland and was made a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) in 2004.

William Montague Bell Cory died at his home at Ashgrove, Brisbane on 22 March 1958, aged 73 years and was buried at Lutwyche Cemetery two days later. His wife, Katherine passed away in 1980, aged 85 years and was buried with William.

Lest We Forget