The life of a soldier and police officer who saved the life of a fellow serviceman during an ambush has been commemorated in a ceremony at Corowa.
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Thomas Charles Morris fought in the Boer War and was reportedly the first Australian nominated for the Victoria Cross.
The Lancers regiment member put his life at risk under heavy fire on January 13, 1900, to save a fellow soldier whose horse was felled.
His service was cut short by typhoid, but he joined NSW Police after returning home and worked as a sergeant at Holbrook then Corowa before his retirement in 1934.
His service and story, which was recently rediscovered by a Lancer member while regiment members have been stationed at the Corowa border checkpoint, was honoured during a graveside ceremony in the town yesterday.
Police and military attendees were told his time in the force was eventful, including a shootout with a bushranger named Claude Batson at Jingellic, and the arrest of a teenager who murdered at woman during a shooting at Staghorn Flat.
Newspaper archives show Alexander Thomas was arrested in Corowa after killing Bridget Enright at Staghorn Flat in July 1924.
Thomas received a death sentence which was later commuted.
Lieutenant Colonel Andrew White said his regiment's historian had conducted research during the defence deployment to the border.
"We've only recently I guess rediscovered Tom's story," he said.
While he passed away in October 1955 before being buried at the Pioneer Cemetery, there are modern day parallels with his story.
The police sergeant had almost certainly been involved in the border closure enforced during the Spanish flu pandemic.
"To be here side by side with our colleagues in police I think is really important," Lieutenant Colonel White said.
"We have so many amazing servicemen and servicewomen who lay their lives on the line all the time.
"To take the opportunity to reflect and remember one member, who has a strong connection to both our organisations, is very powerful for us."
The Last Post was performed during the ceremony and wreaths laid on his grave.
Police Assistant Commissioner Joe Cassar said there were strong ties between the police and military, which had been highlighted by the border closure operation and the bushfire response last summer.
He said many officers were also involved in the Army Reserve, with their skills transferable to the police force.
