Hubert (Hugh) was born at Beoley, Ridditch, England on the 12^th of October 1897. He was an orchardist and gave his address as, c/o Mrs Kate Vallence⁽³⁾ of Bacchus Marsh, VIC when he enlisted in the AIF on the 16^th of July 1915, aged 17¾ - he added four years to his age on his enlistment papers. He was allocated to the 6^th Reinforcements, 23^rd Battalion in September and embarked aboard the HMAT A38 Ulysses in late October, disembarking in Egypt some time later.

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In February 1916 Hugh transferred to the 58^th Battalion before embarking from Alexandria, Egypt in June, disembarking at Marseilles, France six days later.

He was probably in the Battle of Fromelles.

Hugh was promoted to Temporary Corporal in January 1917. After returning from two weeks leave in England in April he was promoted to Corporal and then to Company Quartermaster Sergeant. He had another two weeks leave in England in February 1918. Hugh was present during the Breaking of the Hindenburg Line which commenced in late September, where his actions saw him awarded the Meritorious Service Medal.

For meritorious service and devotion to duty. During the period 16th/17th September, to 31st December, 1918 the Battalion was always on the move and there was heavy fighting against the HINDENBURG LINE near BELLICOURT. C.Q.M.S. Price kept up the supply of his Company's food, attending to the carrying and distribution, and never failing to accompany the ration parties to the front lines. He has a long record of meritorious service as C.Q.M.S. and has set a high standard of devotion to duty, never sparing himself whenever he could, in any way, better the feeding or living conditions of his Company. His example has been of great value to the Battalion.

Source: Recommendation for the Meritorious Service Medal

Hugh was again on leave in England when he was admitted⁽²⁾ to hospital at the beginning of January 1919. He was discharged from hospital in February and had his leave extended till March when he embarked from England aboard the Karoa, returning to Australia in May and was discharged from the AIF at the end of June.

Hugh was living in Bacchus Marsh, VIC shortly after the war and moved to Werribee, VIC some time later from where he enlisted in the Australian Army - V84527 - in June 1940. He was discharged from the Army in February 1946 as a Warrant Officer Class 1, serving at Headquarters Queensland Line of Communication Area.

Hubert died at Werribee, VIC in 1959, aged 63.

He is listed on the Shire of Bacchus Marsh Roll of Honour, the Bacchus Marsh & District Roll of Honour and the Holy Trinity Church Roll of Honour.

Notes

1. The only information on this name plate that is correct is the Service Number and the Surname.
2. His service records do not state the reason but it could be that he was suffering from influenza.
   The Influenza Pandemic of 1918
3. Wife of Packington Vallence who is also remembered in the Avenue.