On 13 October 1916, 19 year old Bert Povey embarked the ‘Port Macquarie’ and left Fremantle. He was part of the 44th Battalion, and served on the Western Front in Belgium and France.
Bert was awarded the Military Medal for an action near Ribemont, France (24 April 1918). His citation from General Monash reads:
“When the enemy attacked, this soldier went out through a very heavy barrage repairing broken lines without regard for his personal safety…He worked continuously for 4½ hours and for 1½ hours had to wear his gas mask, in order to repair lines and enable messages to be transmitted...His personal bravery was a great incentive to his comrades…and his perseverance and devotion in such trying circumstances was the admiration of all ranks who saw him”.
Bert returned home on 27 January 1919, and for many years he ran the successful Povey’s furniture business in Newcastle Street, and later moving to Scarborough Beach Road.
