1/07/1915- Completed Medical Examination Busselton WA
22/07/1915- To 17 Depot Blackboy Hill WA as Private
1/08/1915- Allotted to 9th Reinforcements 16th Battalion Blackboy Hill & Appointed Lance Corporal
1/10/1915- Embarked Fremantle WA aboard ” Hororata ” bound for Egypt
28/10/1915- Disembarked Alexandria ex Australia to Overseas Training Base
8/01/1916- Taken on Strength 16th Battalion Ismailia Egypt
9/03/1916- Transferred to 4th Australian Machine Gun Company Tel-el-Kebir Egypt & Promoted to Corporal
29/03/1916- Promoted to Lance Sergeant 4th AMGC Tel-el-Kebir
1/06/1916- Embarked Alexandria with British Expeditionary Forces bound for Marseilles France
9/06/1916- Disembarked Marseilles
15/09/1916- Promoted Sergeant in the field France then to Company Sergeant Major ( WO Class 2 )
4/03/1917- Promoted to Second Lieutenant in the field France
15/05/1917- AWARDED MILITARY CROSS France
30/07/1917- Promoted Lieutenant France
1/10/1917- Recommended for Award of Bar to Military Cross ( Not Awarded – WHY? )
16/11/1917- Granted Leave Paris
30/11/1917- Rejoined Unit in the field France ex Leave
6/01/1918- Transferred to General Headquarters School ( Machine Gun Branch ) Camiers France
6/02/1918- Rejoined Unit in the field France ex School
10/08/1918- Killed in Action France.
AWARD OF MILITARY CROSS
Date of Recommendation- 19 April, 1917, by HOLMES, William, Major General Commanding 4th Australian Division- – ” 2/Lieut HUNT on the morning of the 11th April 1917, near BULLECOURT showed great judgement and coolness throughout the operation in bringing into action the 4 Machine Guns in his command. He controlled 3 guns in the front line, the fourth gun being blown out between the first and second objectives. On enemy developing a strong bomb attack this Officer collected all bombs from the men in his vicinity and went forward and attempted to stem the attack. When this became beyond his control through lack of bombs he directed his men to leave their positions and take up another one in the first objective, carrying himself two ammunition boxes. The latter position became untenable consequently guns- ( two only remaining ) had to be withdrawn. Lieut HUNT carefully directed the three men out but unfortunately only one gun and one man reached safety. Lieut HUNT followed, bringing with him some men from the Battalions. Immediately on arrival at the Sunken Road he mounted the one remaining gun and prepared everything for further attacks by the enemy. Throughout the whole operation he showed great gallantry and coolness and is hereby recommended for most distinguished service “.
References- Commonwealth of Australia Gazette – 4 October, 1917 – Page 2630, Position 8
London Gazette – 18 June, 1917- Page 6003, Position 18.
RECOMMENDATION FOR AWARD OF BAR TO MILITARY CROSS ( NOT AWARDED – WHY? )
Date of Recommendation – 1 October, 1917 – By LEWIS, Langborne, Captain 4th Australian Machine Gun Company – ” This Officer did exceedingly good work near Zonnebeke on the 26th September. He was in charge of eight Machine Guns allotted to the Brigade for the attack. He organized the Sections and arranged everything in detail, and he was instrumental in getting all guns safely onto the final objective without a casualty. During the very heavy shellfire he went forward and placed two guns in position to cover a gap of 200 yards between the 4th and 5th Divisions, His coolness and contempt of all danger and his complete confidence in the situation inspired the Machine Gunners under his command. He is recommended for a Bar to his Military Cross “.
SERVICE MEDALS AWARDED
Military Cross
1914/15 Star – Medal No. 14281
British War Medal – No. 18880
Victory Medal – No. 18811
Memorial Plaque/Scroll – No. 358121.
MEMORIAL INSCRIPTIONS
Busselton War Memorial WA
Australian War Memorial Canberra ACT – Panel No. 176.