Orders, Decorations and Medals

A Great War ‘Hamel’ M.M. awarded to Gunner H. Hurst, 13th Battalion, Tank Corps

Military Medal, G.V.R. (301950 Gnr. H. Hurst, 13/Tank Corps) polished, nearly very fine £150-200

The following citation is taken from The Tank Corps Book of Honour: ‘For conspicuous bravery and coolness in driving his tank in action near Hamel on July 4, 1918. In spite of the fact that his tank was under heavy fire his excellent driving enabled the tank gunners to destroy many enemy machine-gun posts. This tank afterwards brought back to our lines under heavy shell fire a tank disabled on the enemy front line, and it was greatly due to Gunner Hurst’s excellent driving that this was accomplished successfully. Throughout the whole of the action Gunner Hurst’s coolness and resourcefulness had a great effect on the remainder of the crew.’

The 8th and 13th Battalions of the Tank Corps were in support of the successful Australian attack on Hamel on 4th July 1918.