Ernest Corey

Ernest Albert Corey
a head and shoulders photograph of a soldier in military uniform
Ernest Albert Corey c.1916
Nickname(s)Ernie
Born(1891-12-20)20 December 1891
Numeralla, New South Wales
Died25 August 1972(1972-08-25) (aged 80)
Canberra, Australian Capital Territory
AllegianceAustralia
Service / branchAustralian Imperial Force
Years of service1916–1919
1941–1943
RankCorporal
Unit55th Battalion (1916–1919)
2nd Garrison Battalion (1941–1943)
Battles / wars
AwardsMilitary Medal & Three Bars

Ernest Albert Corey, MM & Three Bars (20 December 1891 – 25 August 1972) was a distinguished Australian soldier who served as a stretcher bearer during the First World War. He enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force on 13 January 1916, and was allocated to the 55th Battalion, where he was initially posted to a grenade section before volunteering for stretcher bearing duties. In 1917 he was twice awarded the Military Medal for his devotion to duty in aiding wounded soldiers, and twice again in 1918; becoming the only person to be awarded the Military Medal four times.

Born in New South Wales, Corey was employed as a blacksmith's striker upon leaving school. In January 1916, he became a member of the "Men from Snowy River" recruiting march, enlisting in Goulburn. Returning to Australia after the Armistice, he was discharged on medical grounds in 1919 and was employed in a number of jobs before re-enlisting in a militia battalion for service in the Second World War. He died in 1972 and was buried with full military honours in the Ex-Servicemen's section of Woden Cemetery, Australian Capital Territory.