CURRIE, Albert James

Albert’s birth was registered at Inverell in 1889. He was one of six children born in the Inverell district to James and Sarah Currie.  He had been working as a Stationhand at Brodies Plains, east of Inverell, when he enlisted in August 1914. He joined the 1st Field Company Engineers and sailed from Australia on the transport ship A19 Afric in October 1914, serving in Egypt and at Gallipoli.  During March 1916 Albert was transferred to France and the following year appointed Lance Corporal.

When a shell burst in his trench near Ypres in October 1917 he was buried alive but rescued by a mate. Albert’s legs were badly damaged and he was evacuated to Cambridge Hospital, Aldershot, England.  Three months later he was invalided home to Australia. The Tamworth Daily Observer newspaper 22 March 1918 reported that Albert was given ‘a most enthusiastic welcome in the Brodies Plains hall on Friday night last.’ At this function he was presented with an inscribed gold medal as a thank you from the community for his service.

Lance Corporal Currie was awarded the Military Medal for his ‘Very high standard of courage and fine example to the men under heavy fire’ (Commonwealth Gazette No 31, 7 March 1918)

Albert married in 1922 and became an orchardist at Yenda NSW. He died in 1970 at Griffith NSW.

Lance Corporal Albert Currie has his name recorded on the Long Plain Honour Roll.

Photo: submitted by family