Awarded the Military Medal (www.awm.gov.au)
"At about 8.30pm on evening of 13/5/1917, near the Regimental Aid Post at C.4.b., this stretcher bearer was taking shelter in a dugout by the railway embankment from an extremely heavy enemy barrage of fire when a shell directly hit another small dugout about 20 yards away and buried a soldier of the 2/2 London Regiment. Notwithstanding the extremely heavy shrapnel and high explosive shell fire, and a machine gun which was playing over this area, this soldier, in company with another of his squad, left his shelter and immediately went to the buried man's assistance. Together, though completely exposed themselves, they dug the man out with their bare hands and then carried him a distance of about 50 yards to the Regimental Aid Post." Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 189 Date: 8 November 1917
For the bravery displayed in this above incident, 68 Pte. Harry Bowden was initially to be awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal (DCM) (www.awm.gov.au), but this was later down-graded to the Military Medal by the Commanding Officer of the 8th Field Ambulance.
Awarded Bar to the Military Medal (www.awm.gov.au)
"At a Collecting Port (BELLEWAARDE) east of YPRES about 12 noon on 21st October, 1917, during very heavy shell fire, these two men [BOWDEN and 13584 W.C. ACWORTH (/explore/people/260287)] saw two soldiers who were moving along about 100 yards away on the road apparently hit. They immediately took a stretcher and ran down to the men while shells were bursting around them the whole time. When they arrived at the spot where the men were lying they found that they were both dead. Their prompt and spontaneous act showed great courage and set a most excellent example to their fellow bearers at the Post. I recommend "immediate reward"." Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 23 Date: 12 February 1919