Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Great War 1917 ‘Bullecourt’ M.M. awarded to Private P. J. Couch, 6th Australian Light Trench Mortar Battery, Australian Imperial Force, who subsequently received wounds to both legs, 22 September 1917

Military Medal, G.V.R. (3798 Pte. P. J. Couch. 6/Aust: Lt: T.M. By:) surname partially officially corrected, good very fine £400-500

M.M. London Gazette 9 July 1917. The original recommendation (jointly listed with 6 others) states:

‘The above men distinguished themselves in action on the captured trenches near Bullecourt on 3rd May 1917 by the gallantry and determination with which they continued to serve their mortars throughout the day and night until relieved at dawn on the 5th. On no occasion was a request for fire not complied with, though the battery suffered severe losses (over half its numbers). No chance of observing fire or getting targets was thrown away and the casualties the battery inflicted on the enemy were certainly very heavy. On one occasion a hostile party was barraged first in front, then in rear, and when brought to a halt blown out without a survivor. In this the above N.C.O.s and men played a prominent part.’

Patrick Joseph Couch was born in Terrick, Victoria, in 1896, and enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force, at Melbourne, 9 December 1915. He embarked for the UK in H.M.A.T. Warilda in February 1916, and served with the 6th Australian Light Trench Mortar Battery as part of the 6th Australian Brigade, 2nd Australian Division in the French theatre of war from March 1917.

Couch was awarded his M.M. for gallantry during operations at Bullecourt, Somme, 3 - 5 May 1917. He was subsequently wounded in the right thigh and left leg, 22 September 1917. Couch returned to Australia in H.M.A.T. Ypiringa, 15 September 1919, and was discharged, 24 October 1919. He died in April 1953.