Watch List notes:

Trio: 1914-15 Star with original bronze MID (as worn but should be attached to last medal); British War Medal 1914-18, Victory Medal 1914-19. 20 Sjt W.G.Hardess 2/F.Amb.A.I.F. All medals impressed. Good very fine.

MID: LG 13/7/1916, p6955; CAG 30/11/1916, p3234 to Sgt W.G.Hardess 2 FAmb for distinguished and gallant services rendered during the period of Gen Sir Charles Munro's Command of the Mediterranean Expeditionary Force.

Recommended for an award (undated) by Maj-Gen H.G.Chauvel, CO of 1Aust Div: Under Capt Honman did excellent work and gallant service in helping to get the wounded away under very heavy fire from the enemy. Left Anzac 14-8-15. In a letter sent in October 1920 to OIC base Records Melbourne, William Hardess asked as to the outcome of a recommendation for him of an MSM made at the end of 1918 and he believed to have been approved in daily papers in 1919. On 9 October 1920 he was advised that there was no record of an award on an MSM to him.

Brought to the notice of Secretary of State for War for valuable services rendered (War Office List 27/3/19).

William George Hardess, plumber, age 26, born at Hotham, Melbourne, Vic; Enl.18Aug1914 at Melbourne, Vic, with 5 years previous service with Army Medical Corps; to 2FAmb as L/Cpl and then Sgt 28Sep1914; Emb.20Oct1914; proceeding to join MEF at Gallipoli 05Apr1915; to hospital at Anzac 14Aug1915; to T/CQMS 04Feb1916; revert to Sgt 16Nov1916; Att'd for duty with Aust Conv Home Cobham Hall, Kent 26Jul1917; married to Hilda Mary Durling on 20Nov1918 at The Parish Church, Milton, England; RTA 21Dec1918 for 1914 Anzac Leave; Disch.09Apr1919; in Apr1919 applied for refund for his wife's ship's passage fare to Australia.

William George Hardess was later the Essendon City Health Inspector and president of the Victorian branch of the Health Inspectors' Association.

With digital copy of photo and recommendation.
($1800-2000)