| Regimental number | 1584 |
| Date of birth | |
| Place of birth | Wallsend, New South Wales |
| School | Dudley & Plattsburg Public Schools, New South Wales |
| Religion | Presbyterian |
| Occupation | Wire worker |
| Address | Tasma, 160 Francis Street, Leichhardt, Sydney, New South Wales |
| Marital status | Single |
| Age at embarkation | 21 |
| Height | 5' 5" |
| Weight | 132 lbs |
| Next of kin | Mrs M A Currey, Tasma, 160 Francis Street, Leichhardt, New South Wales |
| Previous military service | Served in the 31st Infantry, Haberfield, for 1.6 years; in G.C. Camp, Holsworthy, for 11.6 months. |
| Enlistment date | |
| Place of enlistment | Sydney, New South Wales |
| Rank on enlistment | Private |
| Unit name | Light Trench Mortar Battery, Reinforcement 4 |
| AWM Embarkation Roll number | 13/130/2 |
| Embarkation details | Unit embarked from Sydney, New South Wales, on board HMAT A24 Benalla on |
| Regimental number from Nominal Roll | 1584A |
| Rank from Nominal Roll | Private |
| Unit from Nominal Roll | 53rd Battalion |
| Recommendations (Medals and Awards) |
Victoria Cross For action in Anvil Wood on 1 September 1918. Recommendation date: |
| Fate | Returned to Australia |
| Medals |
Victoria Cross 'For most conspicuous bravery and daring in the attack on Peronne on the morning of 1st September, 1918. When the battalion was suffering heavy casualties from a 77mm field gun at very close range, Private Currey, without hesitation, rushed forward under intense machine gun fire and succeeded in capturing the gun single handed after killing the entire crew. Later, when the advance of the left flank was checked by an enemy strong point, Private Currey crept around the flank and engaged the post with a Lewis gun. Finally, he rushed the post single handed, causing many casualties. It was entirely owing to his gallant conduct that the situation was relieved and the advance enabled to continue. Subsequently he volunteered to carry orders for the withdrawal of an isolated company, and this he succeeded in doing despite shell and rifle fire, returning later with valuable information. Throughout the operations his striking example of coolness, determination, and utter disregard of danger had a most inspiring effect on his comrades, and his gallant work contributed largely to the success of the operations.'
Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 61 Date: |
| Discharge date | |
| Other details |
Previously rejected for enlistment on account of varicosele. War service: Western Front Embarked, 9 November 1916; disembarked Devonport, England, 9 January 1917; marched in to Australian Details, Perham Downs, 10 January 1917. Transferred to 53rd Bn, 6 February 1917. Proceeded overseas to France, 14 June 1917; taken on strength, 53rd Bn, 7 July 1917 (date unclear). On leave to United Kingdom, 8 February 1918; rejoined unit from leave, 28 February 1918. Admitted to 12th Australian Field Ambulance, 12 June 1918 (defective vision); discharged to duty, 14 June 1918; rejoined unit, 16 June 1918. Detached to 14th Australian Infantry Brigade School, 9 July 1918; rejoined unit, 3 August 1918. Wounded in action, 2 September 1918 (gassed), and admitted to 5th Australian Field Ambulance and transferred to 37th Casualty Clearing Station same day; to Ambulance Train No 33, 2 September 1918, and admitted to 5th General Hospital, Rouen, 3 September 1918; to England, 7 September 1918, and admitted to Coventry and Warwickshire Hospital, 8 September 1918. Discharged on furlough, 15 October 1918, to report to No 1 Command Depot, Sutton Veny, 29 October 1918. Awarded Victoria Cross. Commenced return to Australia on board HT 'Orsova', 8 January 1919; arrived Melbourne, 20 February 1919, to disembark Sydney (date not stated); discharged (medically unfit), 2 April 1919. Medals: Victoria Cross, British War Medal, Victory Medal Death ascribed to effects of war service. |
| Date of death | |
| Age at death | 52 |
| Place of burial | Woronora Cemetery, New South Wales |