Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Raymond George HARBOUR (Ray)

Military Medal

Recommendation:  

'At Corbie on 18th June 1918, for great gallantry and devotion to duty. At one o’clock in the morning a fire broke out in a building near one of the bridges in Corbie and spread rapidly.  This NCO and Sapper, without a moments hesitation climbed under the bridge and removed ten large explosive charges placed there ready to demolish it, and threw them into the river. The flames were within seven feet of the charges at the time, and the fuses had begun to melt.  Having done this, they cut the fuses leading to a charge of 250lbs. in the abutment of the bridge, and heaped earth over it to prevent it becoming overheated, as it was not possible to remove it. Their prompt and courageous action averted a grave risk of destruction of a valuable bridge. This bridge is situated in a part of CORBIE that is frequently shelled. On the day in question one of the enemy shells burst in the building amongst some inflammable material- cotton waste from a weaving plant – thus causing the fire.' 

Lieutenant, Colonel CRE 4th Australia Division

Signed: E.G SINCLAIR MACLAGAN

As chairman in the Plumber and Gas Fitters Union, Ray Harbour was at the forefront of farewelling a number of younger tradesmen who had enlisted early in the war, leading the speeches and presenting parting gifts at their farewells.[1] No doubt the pressure to do ‘his bit’ for ‘King and Country’ became too much over the summer of 1917 and Raymond enlisted on January 24, 1917 at the age of 29. On the day of enlistment he was just one of three new recruits in Bendigo as the numbers of men coming forward had started to rapidly decline.[2] Ray was married to Dora and had a steady job as a plumber and gas fitter.

From the outset Ray was destined to join an Engineering unit of the AIF. Two days before enlisting, Major Couchman of the 3rd Military District had personally left hand written instructions that Ray had been selected for the Engineers. The week following enlistment he was required at the Seymour camp to join the Engineer Reinforcements. Skills such as his would be greatly valued within this unit and Ray became a Sapper whilst in training at Seymour.

In March 1917 he was transferred to the Second Military District Engineer reinforcements and headed to Sydney to train, then embark in August landing in England early October 1917. He would spend the winter in England in a number of the AIF camps on the Salisbury Plains finally arriving at the front in France in April 1918.  

Just two months later on June 18, 1918 the relatively inexperienced Sapper would undertake the brave actions to save the critical bridge at Corbie. 

Each Division had three Field Engineer Companies under command, numbered the same as the Brigades of the Division. During WW 1 the Engineers undertook a raft of tasks broadly divided into mobility, counter mobility and construction as well as survey and mapping, and specialised tunnelling and mining operations. They undertook a broad range of tasks including preparation and supervision of the construction of defensive and gun positions, excavation of trenches and dugouts, erection of wire and other obstacles, preparation of command posts, signalling and water supply, field engineering, road and bridge construction and route maintenance. They also undertook obstacle breaching and crossings.

Despite being married, Ray was not able to return to Australia until January 1920. 

SERVICE DETAILS: 

Regimental No: 18728

Place of birth: Echuca Victoria

Religion: Church of England

Occupation: Plumber & Gas fitter

Address: Bendigo, Victoria

Marital status: Married

Age at enlistment: 29

Next of kin: Wife, Mrs Dora Francis Harbour, Co. Charles and Buckley streets, Bendigo,

Enlistment date: 24 January 1917

Final Rank: Sapper

Unit name: 12th Field Company Engineers

Embarked: HMAT A68 Anchises on 8 August 1917

Fate: Returned to Australia, January 4, 1920

Died: 21 March 1974, Springvale Cemetery

Military Medal Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 23

Date: 12 February 1919

Corbie: A magnificent chateau still stands at Corbie overlooking the Somme River. During the Great War it became the Brigade Headquarters for the Australian troops operating between Villers- Bretonneux and Hamel. The chateau overlooked the bridge that crossed the Somme River and was crucial access point for AIF troops supplying those at the front. Also in Corbie a bathhouse was established that provided troops with a welcome scrub and on occasions a fresh uniform.

[1] Bendigo Advertiser, August 9, 1915. P.5
[2] Bendigo Advertiser January 25, P.3