Australian Medals

PAIR: British War and Victory Medal, both correctly impressed to 1576 L/CPL T. KELLEHER 9 BN AIF.

EMB: 13^th February 1915 with the 9^th Battalion

RTA: 4^th May 1915 for reasons unknown (due to this part of the file missing). The 9^th Battalion was in the initial waves at the landing at Gallipoli and by the 4^th May it is possible that slightly wounded or stable wounded could have been sent home to recover (depending on the wound). There is no reference to a charge appearing later on in his service and a wound or injury seems the only likely event that once recovered would carry no prejudice on re-enlistment.

EMB: Now as number 2487 with the 8^th BN on the 16^th July 1915

Absent without Leave on the 16^th August until apprehended by the Military Police. Also for using threatening language to a superior and attempting to escape. Sentenced 28 days detention as of the 13 September 1915

Taken on strength at Lemnos on the 31^st October 1915 heading for Gallipoli. We can only assume he reached Gallipoli with nearly two months left of fighting before the evacuation and the next entry in his records show him disembarking at Alexandria on the 7^th of January 1916 with the rest of Gallipoli’s evacuated force.

Transferred to the 57^th BN on the 22^nd March 1916

KIA: 25^th October 1917 Belgium. Unfortunately no body was recovered for Thomas Keleher and he is remembered on the Menin Gate Memorial.

Note: A letter on file from his mother alerts us to the sad fact that his brother number 2696 Private James Martin Keleher 3^rd BN AIF was also killed in action the year before on the 25^th of July 1916 at Villers-Bretonneux

When searching records for Thomas Kelleher he may appear under his second number 2487 and the family surname is spelt with one “L”. Missing 1914/15 star based on previous enlistment. On the surface he was a very interesting man and hopefully with good research his full story will be discovered.

VF $625

P37 Trio: 1914/15 Star, British War and Victory Medal all correctly impressed to 1719 PTE F. C. BOLTON 9/BN AIF.

EMB: 8^th April 1915

Joined Battalion on Gallipoli 26th April 1915

Killed in action 23^rd July 1916 in France.

A Red Cross file exists for Frederick Charles Bolton with letters from his family enquiring about his whereabouts which a board of enquiry concluded; “Killed in action 23-7-16 previously reported missing”.

Remembered on the Villers-Bretonneux Memorial, Villers-Bretonneux, Picardie, France

  VF+ $1100

P38 Trio: 1914/15 Star, British War and Victory Medal all correctly impressed to 1365 PTE J. B. JEFFERIES 9/BN AIF.

Previous Service noted as “Royal Navy 12 years”

Occupation on enlistment Fireman

EMB: 13^th February 1915

Joined Battalion on Gallipoli 6th May 1915

Wounded in Action 23^rd July 1916 France (G.S.W.)

Killed in action 27^th Decvember 1916 in France.

Joseph Benjamin Jefferies is buried at Bulls Road Cemetery, Flers, Picardie, France

  UNCIRCULATED $1100

P39 Trio: 1914/15 Star, British War and Victory Medal all correctly impressed to 253 T-CQM (PTE on star) H. R. VINCENT 10/BN AIF.

Previous Service noted as “WA Volunteers 2 years”

EMB: 20th Oct 1914

Wounded in Action 30^th April 1915 Gallipoli (“Gun Shot Wnd Foot”)

Invalided to Australia discharging 5^th July 1916

Re-enlisted 3^rd July 1917 as service number 8248 with the Tunnelling reinforcements.

Embarked second occasion on the 26^th November 1917 with 2^nd Australian Tunnelling Coy

RTA: 28^th July 1919

   UNCIRCULATED $950

Pair: British war medal and Victory medal impressed to 3052 PTE T. McCAULEY 10 BN AIF

Emb. 14^th September 1915

Transferred to the 50^th Bn (26^th February 1916)

Transferred to the Australian Army Medical Corps officially the 6^th March 1919 but parading with unit from the 2^nd November 1918

Discharged 4^th military district 13^th August 1919 Medically unfit 

Note: Entitled to 1914/15 star, however the pair was re-united recently (2018) giving hope that the 1914/15 Star will eventually turn up. A note that came with medal indicates he died in 1930 with the official records stating “died after discharge”.

VF+ $375

Pair: British war medal and Victory medal impressed to 5236 PTE E. WALLIS 10 BN AIF

Emb. 25^th March 1916

Sprained Left Ankle (Severe) 16^th October 1916 "In the field"

Transferred to the 70^th Bn (23^rd March 1917)

RTA: For home service on the 27^th August 1917 due to age.

VF+ $375

Trio: 1914/15 Star, British War and Victory Medal all correctly impressed to 2417 PTE. C. McCARTHY 11/BN AIF.

Charles McCarthy enlisted on the 10^th May 1915 in to the 11^th Bn A.I.F.

Taken on strength 7^th Reinforcements 11 Battalion at the Dardanelles on the 4^th August 1915

11^th November 1915 leaves Gallipoli Peninsula due to Dysentery

18^th November 1916 whilst meant to be recovering in London Charles is arrested for AWOL and being out of uniform. He is awarded 12 months in prison hard labour.

Sentence reduced to 6 months and in June 1917 Charles was back on the frontline with the 11^th Battalion where he stayed until the end of the war.

RTA: 27^th April 1919 Discharging 5:M.D in June that year.

VF+ $785

Pair: British War Medal and Victory Medal impressed to 6347 R. G. Turner 11 Bn. AIF

emb. 18 Sept 1916  RTA 1.6.1919

WIA GSW both arms and head 23 April 1917

VF $475

Pair: British War Medal and Victory Medal impressed to 5435 Pte. R. D. Moore. 11 Bn. AIF

Emb. 17 April 1916  RTA 13 May 1918

Records show " fractured leg -both bones".

VF $425

Trio: 1914/15 star, British War and Victory Medal all correctly impressed to 1764 L/CPL. (PTE on Star) W. W. GILBERT 11/BN AIF.

Previous Service 2 years W.A.I.R

EMB: 19^th April 1915

Taken on strength 4^th reinforcements, Gallipoli 10^th July 1915

WIA: 6^th May 1915 (remained on duty)

RTA: 21^st March 1919

NEAR EF $995

Trio: 1914/15 Star, British War and Victory Medal all correctly impressed to 3922 PTE. G. M. PESCOD 11/BN AIF.

George Marshall Pescod aged 43 enlisted on the 27^th August 1915 in the 11^th Bn A.I.F.

Taken on strength with the 12^th Reinforcements 11 Battalion he proceeded overseas to Alexandria.

After service in the Middle East, George proceeded with Charlie Company 11^th Battalion to France disembarking on the 5^th April 1916.

Wounded in action “Gun Shot Wound Abdomen (penetrating)” France 20^th August 1916

Sadly, he succumbed to his wounds and died three days later at the 3^rd Casualty Clearing Station on the 23^rd August 1916.

George is buried Plot 2. Row F. Grave 10. Puchevillers Cemetery, France

The medals come in their boxes of issue along with the outer postal packaging addressed to Mrs R. B. Pescod (wife). Hillcroft, Sheriff Hill, Gateshead on Tyne. Also with the group are two beautiful sweetheart badges made from a single collar rising sun badge and an “Australia” shoulder title on each.

EF+ $1125

Trio: 1914/15 star, British War and Victory Medal all correctly impressed to 2780 PTE. (SGT on BWM & VM) J. R. NEILSON 11/BN AIF.

Previous service stated as “five years Bendigo Cadets”

Promoted corporal 11^th August 1915 11bn & then again promoted Sergeant 11^th September 1915

EMB: 5th October 1915 reverts back to rank

Promoted Cpl 18^th April 1916

Transferred to 24^th How. Bde. In the 112^th Bty 16^th June 1916

Granted 12 months leave agricultural purposes to America 31^st July 1919 “The purpose of instruction in agriculture and pig raising methods”

RTA 15^th September 1920 from Vancouver to Perth Western Australia (address stated as Salvado St Cottesloe Beach)

Note: Records show John Roy Neilson medals were returned to sender and then sent back to him

VF $775

P71 FOUR: 1914/15 Star, British War, Victory, and Territorial Efficiency Medal. First three impressed to 328 ER-S-SJT (PTE on star). J. A. McCOY 11/BN AIF. Efficiency medal impressed 182 DMR J. A. McCOY 20/LOND: REGT 

John Alfred McCoy states his previous Service as “5 years 20^th County of London Regiment, 7 years 2^nd Royal West Kent Regiment”

EMB: 26th Oct 1914 for Gallipoli as a first day lander

Admitted to hospital on Gallipoli “Neurasthenia” 26^th June before being transferred to Convalescent Camp Mustapha 8^th July 1915.

Attached to Postal Corps 14^th September 1915 Alexandria before being transferred to the Postal Corps permanently.

RTA: 11th November 1919 and discharged medically unfit

Note: His records state the following; “S/Sgt A.A.P.C. Brought to the notice of Secretary of Staff for War for valuable services rendered in connection with the war (War Office List dated 28.8.19)”

VF-EF $1250

Trio: 1914/15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal.1914/15 Star and Victory Medal impressed to 1981 DVR L. WRIGHT 12 BN AIF

Emb. 26 April 1915

Evacuated Gallipoli sick 14th August 1915 (returned to active duty 1916)

RTA 21 March 1919 (earliest discharge for 1915 enlistments who saw the whole war).

A nice group to a soldier who served continuously through WW1.

VF $925

FAMILY GROUP: Pair: British War Medal and Victory Medal impressed to 2585 Pte. J. D. JOSLIN 12 Bn. AIF

Emb. 9th November 1916

Records report "infected wound" "forearm left" 18th April 1919

RTA. 1st June 1919

Also comes with Queen Elizabeth II Efficiency medal "Australia" correct period engraving to 546822 R. D. Joslin

 VF $785

P74 Trio: 1914/15 Star, British War and Victory Medal all correctly impressed to 403 CPL (PTE on star) H. WILLIAMS 14/BN AIF. 

Previous Service stated as “8^th A.I.R. 8 years (discharged) own request”.

Emb. 22^nd December 1914 with the 14^th Battalion

Prior to the landing at Gallipoli on the 29^th March 1915 Hugh Williams was awarded 96 hours detention for being “Drunk and causing a Nuisance” on the 6^th earlier that month. This was awarded at Battalion level so that he did not leave the unit and would be present for the landings.

After the evacuation on the 14^th January 1916 he was again charged with drunkenness but this time he was found not guilty.

Transferred to the 4^th Pioneers on the 16^th March 1916.

Promoted to L/Cpl 26^th July 1917.

11^th August 1917 charged with Drunkenness again and awarded a severe reprimand from the Commanding Officer who then approved him leave that day for two weeks.

RTA: 25^th December 1918 and discharged 23^rd February 1919

Near UNC $950

P77 Trio: 1914/15 Star, British War and Victory Medal all correctly impressed to 603 T-SJT (PTE on star) R. BICKET 16/BN AIF. 

EMB: 22^nd December 1914 Alpha Company 16^th Battalion for Gallipoli

28^th July 1915 Robert Bicket was admitted Casualty Clearing station with Diarrhoea Gallipoli

12^th January 1917 promoted to Sergeant & T/Armourer Sergeant.

RTA: 8^th October 1918 and discharged medically unfit

Near UNC $850

P79 FIVE: 1914/15 Star, British War, Victory, War and Australian Service Medal. First three impressed to 108 PTE J. KIRK 16/BN AIF. WW2 pair also impressed to W27615 J. KIRK

EMB: 22^nd December 1914 with the 16^th Battallion for Gallipoli

WIA Gallipoli 2^nd May 1915 “Gunshot wound left chest penetrating lung”

Admitted to 2^nd Hospital Gascon 3^rd May 1915

Assessed as Permanent Class ‘B’ due to his wound he was initially employed in the department of Deceased Soldiers effects (Alexandria) and A.I.F. Kit Stores (Fulham) in 1916 whilst recovering.

RTA: discharged medically unfit 4^th September 1918

Note: Due to James Kirk's WW2 file not being opened at this stage, all we can ascertain is that he enlisted on the 14^th February 1941 and served with 109 Con. Depot N. Base discharging 22^nd November 1942 no doubt due to his age and previous injury.

Note: Comes with original dog tag.

VF+ $950

P80 Trio: 1914/15 Star, British War and Victory Medal all correctly impressed to 2637 PTE F. ARMSTRONG 16/BN AIF. 

Frank Armstrong Emb. 1^st September 1915

Taken on strength 16^th Bn 21^st October 1915 Gallipoli  

Transferred to 4^th Division Artillery 16^th March 1916. And subsequently taken on strength with the 24^th Howitzer Brigade and posted to the 112^th Bty. With the rank Gunner.

21^st January 1917 Transferred to the 12^th F.A.B.

Admitted to Hospital “Dacryocystitis” 23^rd October 1918

RTA: 24^th May 1919 and discharged medically unfit

Near UNC $750

Trio: 1914/15 star, British War and Victory Medal all correctly impressed to 1893 PTE. H. TURNBULL 16/BN AIF.

EMB: 19th April 1915

Admitted Pneumonia Gallipoli

WIA: 2^nd July 1916 G.S.W. Rt Arm

RTA: 13^th February 1917 (Medically unfit)

When applying for the Gallipoli Medallion Private Turnbull included this from his diary, he had this to say

“landed about 11:30 at ANZAC Cove with the 7^th reinforcements …. 6^th Informed by our officers in Shrapnel Gully that we were to make big advance at 9pm, moved off at 9pm to the left with all the rifles free of ammunition , met with little opposition till 5am then we were in the midst of hell, with sniping very bad. We loaded our rifles just before daylight and were partly dug in on hill 303 at 4pm….. We made a heavy attack on Chocolate Hill at 3:30am on the 9^th, the 13^th, 14^th & 15^th battalions on the right of me made just a faint attack on the left and got cut up badly. I was one of 6 sent out to middle of hay field to draw enemy’s fire, our only cover being stacks of hay, there was only four of us left to join the main body, but 60 of us got cut off and returned into the Turks machine gun fire. Thirty of our chaps were cut down”

Note: It appears he lost his medals but all were returned. The Victory Medal was handed in separately and then returned by the government in 1936

VF $1200

Pair: 1914/15 Star and Victory medal (missing BWM). Both correctly impressed to 541 SJT (LIEUT. on Victory medal) H. T. CROUCH 16 BN. A.I.F.

 Emb. November 1914

 WIA 27 April 1915 (G.S.W left leg).

 Promoted 2/LT May 1915 as a result of W. B. Kerr being killed

 RTA 17 March 1916 unfit for duty for 6 months

 Emb. 9 October 1916

 Served in France until his leg wounds became complicated. Classed as "Permanently unfit for duty" 20 August 1917

 Despite this he is not discharged until 10 January 1919.

 Another very interesting group to a casualty in the first few days of the landing  and then on to become an officer.

 Important note; There is a letter in Lt. Crouch's records stating that he lost his BWM in 1938

VF $750

Four: 1914/15 star, British War, British War (duplicate issue) and Victory Medal correctly impressed to 2543 PTE. D. MACKAY 17/BN AIF. Second War Medal correctly impressed 3876 A-CPL D. MACKAY 4 PNR. BN. A.I.F.

EMB: 5th October 1915 (17th Bn)

Proceeded to England with an injury to the knee 31st August 1916

Embarked again with 4th Pioneer Battalion and sent to Sandhurst for "bombing course" and passed as instructor 13th June 1917.

Transferred to 4th Machine Gun Battalion 12th May 1918

WIA: 30th June 1918 "Gunshot wound left arm severe"

RTA: 19th February 1919

Note: There is a statutory declaration for Daniel Mackay stating that he did not receive his victory medal (only receiving the initial War Medal he may not have believed he was entitled to the 1914/15 star as he was a late embarkation in 1915). Records further show that medals were returned in 1924 (possibly only the 1914/15 star and Victory Medal) and then sent back out along with a British War Medal. A very interesting grouping

VF $1300

Trio: 1914/15 star and British War Medal both correctly impressed to 18 PTE. G. B. PLAYER 18 BN A.I.F. Missing Victory Medal

EMB: 25th June 1915

Previous service stated as St Georges Rifles (5 years)

WIA: 22-23^rd August 1915 GSW Left Foot Gallipoli Hill 60

Transferred to 2^nd Div. Sig. Coy 4^th December 1916

RTA: 8^th September 1918 reason given "G. S. W. Left foot amputation of Great Toe". It appears his previous wounds have got infected and Private Player is very sick leading up to his discharge.

 Note: The 18^th Battalion landed on Gallipoli on the 22^nd August and went into action almost instantly on “Hill 60” and it is here where Private Player was injured.

VF $650

Pair: British War medal and Victory medal (missing 1914/15 Star). Both correctly impressed to 2613 A. W. DUCKWORTH 18 BN. A.I.F.

 Emb. 2 November 1915

 Transferred to the 53rd Battalion in April 1916

 WIA 2 July 1916 (S. W. Chest)

 2nd WIA 26 September 1917 (S. W. Eye)

 RTA 5 May 1919

VF $450