COURTNEY, Raymond
| Service Number: | 6541 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 1 May 1916 |
| Last Rank: | Private |
| Last Unit: | 19th Infantry Battalion |
| Born: | St Leonards, New South Wales, Australia, 15 March 1896 |
| Home Town: | North Sydney, North Sydney, New South Wales |
| Schooling: | St Leonards Superior Public School, New South Wales, Australia |
| Occupation: | Shipwright |
| Died: | Killed in action, France, 29 August 1918, aged 22 years |
| Cemetery: |
Assevillers New British Cemetery, Picardie, France Plot I, Row D, Grave No. 2. A YOUNG LIFE NOBLY ENDED |
| Memorials: | Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour, East Killara North Sydney Technical High School WW1 Honour Board, Kirribilli Sydney Flying Squadron & Sydney Sailing Club Honor Roll |
World War 1 Service
| 1 May 1916: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Private, 6541, 19th Infantry Battalion | |
|---|---|---|
| 7 Feb 1917: | Involvement Private, 6541, 19th Infantry Battalion, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '13' embarkation_place: Sydney embarkation_ship: HMAT Wiltshire embarkation_ship_number: A18 public_note: '' | |
| 7 Feb 1917: | Embarked Private, 6541, 19th Infantry Battalion, HMAT Wiltshire, Sydney |
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Add my storyBiography contributed by Stephen Brooks
Raymond Courtney was one of four sons of Edward and Grace Courtney of North Sydney, New South Wales, who enlisted in the AIF during World War One.
The boys grew up in North Sydney and were capable and able sailors on the racing yachts of the day.
Raymond’s older brother, 3721 Pte. Robert Courtney 13th Battalion AIF was killed in action at Pozieres on 11 August 1916, aged 24.
Raymond enlisted in the 19th Battalion during May 1916. He didn’t embark Sydney until 1917 and arrived on the Western Front on 14 October 1917. He was slightly wounded during May 1918, (gassed) and rejoined his unit at the end of July.
Raymond was recommended for bravery in rescuing Pte. Francis from drowning.
“At 8 a.m. on 15 August 1918 at Nucleus Camp Canon, Pte. Francis was leading a horse across the footbridge over the River Somme. When half way over a plank in the bridge collapsed and the horse becoming unmanageable kicked Pte. Francis into the river, stunning him. Both horse and man were struggling in the water when Pte. Courtney, without divesting himself of any clothing, dived in and brought the unconscious man to the shore. Pte. Courtney’s prompt action, regardless of the swift running stream and struggling horse, undoubtedly saved the life of Pte. Francis.”
He didn’t receive an award, probably because he was killed in action only a fortnight later near Peronne in France.
Richard’s other two brothers survived the war and returned to Australia. His oldest brother, Ed "Tedda" Courtney was a pioneer Australian rugby league footballer and coach. He played representative football for the New South Wales state and Australian national sides. He is considered one of Australia’s finest rugby league footballers of the 20th century. In 2008, Courtney was named in the list of Australia's 100 Greatest Players commissioned by the NRL and is in the NRL Hall of Fame.
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