Percy D. Hazzard, of Essendon, [has been] promoted to sergeant. He left Melbourne last June as a private, and has w[on] promotion while serving in France. 

ROLL OF HONOR. (1917, May 31). The Essendon Gazette and Keilor, Bulla and Broadmeadows Reporter (Moonee Ponds, Vic. : 1914 - 1918), p. 2 Edition: Morning. Retrieved May 12, 2012, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article74602668

OUR SOLDIERS

Sgt. Percy Hazzard writes to his mother, at Essendon, an interesting account of the fighting at Messines, from which the following extracts are taken.

Sgt. Hazzard was wounded in this fighting, and wrote his letter while in the No. 3 Canadian hospital at Boulogne. He rather likes the Canadians, and writes that the Canadian girls are very good, and do everything possible for the men in hospital. "Although in hospital, I am not wounded seriously, and hope to be going up the line again in a few days. It was in the great advance at Messines that I got my knock, and I will try and give you a slight idea of this great piece of work.

We had been preparing for this advance for a long time. Fritz had been holding a very strongly fortified hill, from which he could look down and observe our movements. On June 6th we got word that we were to start next morning, and we were all pleased, as we were anxious to have a go the enemy. Our artillery had been pounding him for a fortnight previous. We moved up to the trenches under a hail of gas shells, and lost a lot of lads from exhaustion. It was a close night, and we had to march with our gas helmets on. We reached the trenches just before day break. At about 3 a.m. there was a great shaking of the earth, and I looked over the parapet and could see the hill in front of us one mass of flame and dust. This was caused by the great mines blowing up. The shock was felt in England, so you can imagine what it was like to us, only a few hundred yards away. This upheaval announced the opening of the great advance, for no sooner were the mines exploded than there was a continuous roar. By this our lads had gained the enemy's first line, but found nothing but dead. The second was practically the same. What few Germans remained alive threw up their hands and cried for mercy. The prisoners were coming past us in hundreds, and they seemed very pleased.

It was now our time to do our bit. We had very little trouble in gaining our objectives, for the Germans were badly shaken by our artillery, and they didn't feel inclined to fight. On the second day, they commenced shelling us and prepared for a counter attack; but we got word of it, and shells as thick as rain were poured in on them, and, needless to say, there was no counter attack. I can't tell you any more, for it was at this part I got hit. We suffered a fair number of casualties; but I am pleased to say two-thirds of them are walking cases, and will soon be back again "

OUR SOLDIERS. (1917, October 4). The Essendon Gazette and Keilor, Bulla and Broadmeadows Reporter (Moonee Ponds, Vic. : 1914 - 1918), p. 3 Edition: Morning. Retrieved May 25, 2012, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article74603911

Note:  Hazzard is describing the mining of Hill 60 on 7 June 1917

Mrs. W. Hazzard, of Essendon, has been notified that her son, Sgt. P. D. Hazzard, has been severely wounded by gunshot.

ROLL OF HONOUR. (1918, June 6). The Essendon Gazette and Keilor, Bulla and Broadmeadows Reporter (Moonee Ponds, Vic. : 1914 - 1918), p. 3 Edition: Morning. Retrieved June 24, 2012, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article74606215

Sergeant Percy D. Hazzard, 37th Battalion, son of Mrs. C. T. and the late W. Hazzard, of Essendon, has been awarded the Military Medal for bravery in France. He enlisted on 20th March, 1916, and has been wounded twice. 

ROLL OF HONOR. (1918, December 12). The Essendon Gazette and Keilor, Bulla and Broadmeadows Reporter (Moonee Ponds, Vic. : 1914 - 1918), p. 3 Edition: Morning. Retrieved September 4, 2012, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article74607829

Recommendation for Military Medal
37th Battalion AIF
745 Sergeant Percy David Hazzard

On the night of 3/4th May 1918 at VILLE-SUR-ANCRE for conspicuous gallantry and leadership in action. This NCO was in charge of portion of a fighting patrol which had for its subject the capture of an enemy post.  On reaching a point about 50 yards from the post the patrol was discovered by the enemy, who opened fire from the post.  Regardless of all personal danger this NCO led his party with great dash from the left flank and rushed the post, the occupants of which were captured.  In arriving at the trench Sergeant HAZZARD was wounded by the explosion of an enemy grenade.  The success of the enterprise was largely due to the initiative and determination shown by this NCO.

http://static.awm.gov.au/images/collection/pdf/RCDIG1068628--30-.pdf