'During the operations near BELLICOURT from 30th September to 2nd October 1918, this man displayed the most conspicuous bravery and devotion to duty as a stretcher bearer, while attending to the wounded under very heavy machine gun and rifle fire. At one period in the advance his Platoon Commander fell seriously wounded immediately in front of an enemy strong post. Private LAVERY immediately crawled out 300 yards into 'No Man's Land' under intense machine fire and bandaging him up attempted to carry him to safety; owing to the heavy fire he was unable to do this at the first attempt but returned a little later in company with another man, and succeeded in bringing him in. For 36 hours he laboured unceasingly attending to and carrying wounded and undoubtedly saved many lives.'
Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 109
Date: 15 September 1919

Regimental number	5403
Place of birth	Bankstown New South Wales
Religion	Church of England
Occupation	Labourer
Address	Karula, Moss Vale, New South Wales
Marital status	Single
Next of kin	Mother, Mrs R Lavery, Brunka Road, Bankstown, New South Wales
Enlistment date	6 November 1915
Rank on enlistment	Private
Unit name	1st Battalion, 17th Reinforcement
AWM Embarkation Roll number	23/18/4
Embarkation details	Unit embarked from Sydney, New South Wales, on board HMAT A49 Ceramic on 14 April 1916
Rank from Nominal Roll	Private
Unit from Nominal Roll	53rd Battalion
Recommendations (Medals and Awards)	Distinguished Conduct Medal Recommendation date: 5 October 1918 Distinguished Conduct Medal Recommendation date: 11 October 1918
Fate	Returned to Australia 2 June 1919
Medals	Military Medal 'During the operations near BELLICOURT from 30th September to 2nd October 1918, this man displayed the most conspicuous bravery and devotion to duty as a stretcher bearer, while attending to the wounded under very heavy machine gun and rifle fire. At one period in the advance his Platoon Commander fell seriously wounded immediately in front of an enemy strong post. Private LAVERY immediately crawled out 300 yards into 'No Man's Land' under intense machine fire and bandaging him up attempted to carry him to safety; owing to the heavy fire he was unable to do this at the first attempt but returned a little later in company with another man, and succeeded in bringing him in. For 36 hours he laboured unceasingly attending to and carrying wounded and undoubtedly saved many lives.' Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 109 Date: 15 September 1919
Other details	War service: Western Front Medals: Military Medal, British War Medal, Victory Medal

William LAVERY