Maurice HAYES MM

HAYES, Maurice

    Service Number: 737
    Enlisted: 26 February 1915, Enlisted at Melbourne, Victoria
    Last Rank: Private
    Last Unit: 23rd Infantry Battalion
    Born: Albury, New South Wales, Australia, 30 May 1893
    Home Town: Bairnsdale, East Gippsland, Victoria
    Schooling: Not yet discovered
    Occupation: Film Operator
    Died: Queensland, Australia, 26 December 1974, aged 81 years, cause of death not yet discovered
    Cemetery: Not yet discovered
    Memorials:
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    World War 1 Service

    26 Feb 1915: Enlisted AIF WW1, Private, 737, 23rd Infantry Battalion, Enlisted at Melbourne, Victoria
    10 May 1915: Involvement Private, 737, 23rd Infantry Battalion, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '14' embarkation_place: Melbourne embarkation_ship: HMAT Euripides embarkation_ship_number: A14 public_note: ''
    10 May 1915: Embarked Private, 737, 23rd Infantry Battalion, HMAT Euripides, Melbourne
    4 Oct 1917: Wounded AIF WW1, Private, 737, While on attachment with the 2nd Divisional Signal Company Wound to the right thigh
    29 Jun 1919: Discharged AIF WW1, Private, 737, 23rd Infantry Battalion, Discharged at the 3rd Military District
    3 Jul 1919: Honoured Military Medal, Citations reads: Near Beaurevoir, east of Peronne, during period 3rd to 5th October 1918, this soldier as linesman with the Brigade Signal Section displayed marked courage and devotion to duty. At a critical time during the operations when only one line was available to forward units his work in laying new lines and the maintenance of same during the hours of darkness and under exceedingly heavy shell fire was invaluable. On many occasions the lines were broken and Hayes, regardless of personal safety, went out time after time repairing them from line battalions back to forward report centre. He remained on duty without rest for 72 hours and his conspicuous gallantry throughout the operations, including three attacks by the Brigade, materially helped the quick transmission of important information to the rear. London Gazette on 3 July 1919, page 8357, position 6 Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 17 October 1919, page 1530, position 86

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    Biography contributed by Carol Foster

    Son of Frederick W. Hayes and Lucy A. Hayes of Kerford Street, Malvern, Victoria

    On 29 September 1917 he was attached to the 2nd Divisional Signal Company until detached to rejoin the 23rd Battalion on 27 April 1918

    Commenced return to Australia on 9 March 1919 aboard HT Kashmir disembarking on 30 April 1919

    Medals: 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal

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