New Medal Groups

Trio: Military Medal, British War Medal and Victory Medal. Military Medal correctly impressed 4608 CPL J. C. COLDICOTT 42/BY: 11/BDE: AUST: F.A, and British War and Victory Medals correctly impressed to 4608 CPL J. C. COLDICOTT 9 BN. A.I.F.

Emb: 31^ST January 1916 from Brisbane with the 9^th Battalion AIF before being transferred to the 42^nd battery in April 1916

Attached to Number 6 Flying Squadron, Royal Flying Corps (in the field) from the 28^th April 1916 until being returned to the battery’s control prior to doing a signals course in early 1917.

Military Medal action 5^th April 1918

M.M. London Gazette 16 July 1918. The original recommendation states:

‘For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty during the attack on our positions opposite Dernacourt and Albert on April 5th 1918. When the heavy shelling in the vicinity of the Battery cut all telephone wires he and two others went out without hesitation and succeeded in keeping the most urgent line in repair all the time. By his constant work on lines and disregard of danger under heavy and continued shell fire throughout the day, he rendered valuable service and enabled his Battery Commander to keep in communication and receive urgent tactical messages without delay.’

Transferred to the 4th Divisional Signals School in July 1918

Discharged 4^th August 1919

Note: Coldicott (or “Coldy” as he was known) was personally presented with the riband for his award by General Sir W. R. Birdwood on 9 June 1918

GD VF $3250

PAIR: British War and Victory Medal, both correctly impressed to 377 PTE N. D. CUDDEFORD 1 BN AIF.

EMB: 3^RD May 1916 with the 1^st ANZAC Cyclist Corps before transferring to the 1^st BN AIF September 1916

8^th April 1917 admitted to hospital with trench feet and paratyphoid fever

Records show various disciplinary charges, all minor and appear to stem from being late on parade.

RTA: 19^th February 1919 and discharged Medically unfit NSW (from Cootamundra)

VF $375

PTE BROWN 51 BN KILLED IN ACTION BELGUIM

PHOTO CORTESY OF AWM WEBSITE

Trio: 1914/15 star, British War and Victory Medal all correctly impressed to 3731 PTE. E. H. BROWN 11BN AIF

Private Edward Huxley Brown, a blacksmith’s striker from Westonia, WA, enlisted on 18 Sep 1915.

On joining the 11th Battalion in Egypt in December it was not long before Private Brown was transferred to the newly raised 51^st Battalion becoming an original member of ‘C’ Company in Mar 1916.

Renown as a champion boxer, it is no surprise being a fighter that he became a machine gunner and took part in the 51st attacks at Mouquet Farm and Noreuil.

On the 10^th June 1917, as a volunteer stretcher-bearer and having just completed his duties he returned to the front-line trench at Messines. Suddenly a German shell landed in his dug-out and both he and another soldier were instantly killed. He is recorded as being buried, but unfortunately his body never recovered post war,

Private Brown is commemorated on the Menin Gate Memorial in Ypres, Belgium. †

VF $1800

FIRST DAY LANDER PTE RUSSELL 12 BN FROM BUNBURY WA

Trio: 1914/15 star, British War and Victory Medal all correctly impressed to 966 Pte L. W. O. Russell 12 Bn AIF

Enlisted on the 14^TH September 1914, as an original member of ‘H’ Company, 12th Bn AIF.

Private Leonard William Oertle Russell landed at Gallipoli on 25 Apr 1915 where he remained at Gallipoli with the Battalion to France.

In Dec 1916, Pte Russell was evacuated to England with trench foot, returning to Perth in Mar 1918 owing to poor eye-sight and subsequently discharged as medically unfit.

In WW2 he re-enlisted almost immediately on the 11^th October 1939, serving with 10th Garrison Battalion until his discharge on the 15^th June 1942,

On the 8^th June 1946 ‘dying of the effects of war’ he was buried in the Karrakatta Cemetery, WA and is commemorated at the War Memorial, King’s Park, WA. †

Near EF $1400

PAIR: British War and Victory Medal, both correctly impressed to 5095 PTE E. SLATTERY 23 BN AIF.

EMB: 19^th July 1916

WIA: 20^th March 1917 “Shrapnel wound left ankle”

14^th June 1917 admitted to clearing station a second time now with “Trench Fever” this is almost straight away from returning from his previous wounds.

RTA: 31^st January 1918 medically unfit

Note: Interesting remark on his attestation form states he has two criminal charges; the first for “2up” and the second for “offensive behaviour” fined 1 pound. Comes with original colour patch, ID disc with Australian arms on obverse; King's Silver War badge numbered A49365 and Returned from Active Service badge (AIF) numbered 102292

VF $575

Five: 1914/15 Star, British War, Victory Medal, War Medal 1939/45 and ASM 1939/45. WW1 trio correctly impressed to R. M. A. 11414, GR. A. L. SKIPP. War Medal 1939/45 and ASM 39/45 correctly impressed W28972 A. L. SKIPP

Gunner Skipp enlisted into the Royal Marine Artillery in 1905 (underage) serving on the following ships (in order); Hibernia, Magnificent, London, Collingwood and the Royal Sovereign until the end of the First World War.

In Australia, Alfred Leonard skip enlisted on the 6^th November 1940 and served as a sergeant on staff with Western Command (WA) for the whole period of the Second World War.

VF SOLD

PTE CYRIL SMITH 2/32ND BN KILLED IN ACTION EL ALAMEIN

Five: 1939/45 Star, Africa Star “8^th Army”, Defence Medal, War Medal and Australian Service Medal. Defence Medal, War Medal and Australian Service Medal all correctly named to WX14734 C E F SMITH

Private Cyril Edward Francis Smith, a dairy hand from Welshpool, WA, enlisted as a general reinforcement on 2 Jul 1941 posted to the 2/32^ND AIF.

An original member of ‘D’ Company, he fought at Tobruk, the capture of ‘Trig 22’ and during the subsequent German armoured counter-attack at El Alamein. On the 1^st November 1942 when the 24th Brigade relieved the 26th Brigade at ‘the saucer’, Private Smith was killed from German tank machine gun fire during the heaviest fighting

Private Cyril Edward Francis Smith is buried in El Alamein War Cemetery, Egypt. †

Note: Comes with high quality digital photos

EF $2500

MAJOR LEWIS ONE OF THREE 2/6^TH TO SURVIVE BORNEO & SANDAKAN

Four: 1939/45 Star, Pacific Star, War Medal and Australian Service Medal all correctly named to WX3338 T. T. Lewis

Major Travers Thorold (Peter) Lewis, an architect from Cottesloe, WA, enlisted on 1 May 1940 having previously served in the Militia in the RAE from 1935.

On the outbreak of war he was appointed as a Captain in the 2/2nd Field Company, then on the 14^th November he was given command of the 2/6th Field Park Coy,

He embarked on to Malaya in Jun 1941, and the unit was based in Malacca in support of the two Field Engineer Company’s 8th Division located with the 27th Bde, Segamat sector.

He was promoted to Major on 24^th December and after the 2/30th Battalion ambush at Gemas on 14^th January 1942, 27th Bde conducted a fighting withdrawal to Singapore. The 2/6th Fd Park Coy suffered casualties from Japanese artillery and air attacks, before withdrawing to Singapore on the 9^th February. A further six men of the 2/6th were killed prior to the 8th Division surrendering to the Japanese and the survivors imprisoned in Changi.

Whilst in the Changi camp he played a role in designing the Chapel before being shipped to Borneo on the Ume Maru with ‘B’ Force in July, arriving in Sandakan.

Major Lewis was tasked with building an airfield at Sandakan. The design and construction of the runway was sabotaged and deliberately delayed by the prisoners. The Kempeitai suspected him of being involved in intelligence activities and he was sent to Kuching and jailed for the remainder of the war.

When finally recovered he was suffering malnutrition and temporary blindness and was hospitalized before returning to Australia via Morotai. He was discharged in January 1946, one of 145 WA POW transported to Borneo, and one of seven to have survived. He was one of only three of the 2/6th Fd Park Coy to survive Borneo, with the remainder dying at Sandakan 1 and 2 camps, or on death marches. He returned to architecture post war, and died in Cottesloe, WA on 6 Apr 1955

EF SOLD

PRIVATE BROMLEY ROYAL AUSTRALIAN REGIMENT KOREA (WIA) – VIETNAM

Five: Queens Korea, United Nations Korea (5/400270), GSM “Malaya” (5/3205), Vietnam Medal and Vietnam Star to 53205 T. H. Bromley with all medals correctly named (entitled to WWII pair for RAAF service, but records show they were not issued)

WX500452 PTE Thomas Henry Bromley, a plant operator from Coolgardie, WA, enlisted for service in BCOF on 7th March 1946. He had previously served as a 455032 LAC in the RAAF from Jul 1944 to August 1945, with 85 SQN, but was too young for overseas service. After service in Japan, he returned to Australia and was discharged in Jul 1948. He re-enlisted in Feb 1952 as 5/400270 and arrived in Korea for service with 3 RAR on 4 Oct 1952. 3 RAR was involved in patrolling no man’s land between opposing trench lines along the 38th parallel. 3RAR conducted trench raids, patrols and reconnaissance. Some minor skirmishes resulted in small gains or losses of territory, but overall the front line altered very little in this time, until the ceasefire on 27 Jul 1953. He took part in the ‘A’ Coy patrol under LT Smith, where 80 enemy were killed, for the loss of 7 KIA, 12 WIA (including Bromley, ‘hit by grenade while on patrol in face, right side of neck and right thigh’) and 7 POW. He left Korea on 6 October 1953 and was discharged in November. He re-enlisted in the A.R.A. on 11^th February 1957 as a Private number 5/3205. He served in Malaya with 1 RAR from 1959-1961, then Vietnam from 27 May 65 to 11 Jun 66. He was discharged in July 1973, not being eligible for a Long Service Good Conduct Medal. The medals displayed here are his complete compliment of issued medals.

Private Bromley died in West Perth on 16 Dec 92, and was cremated at Karrakatta cemetery.

Good VF $4000

Germany, Prussia, Iron Cross 1813, 2nd Class, Rare “stepped iron center” first issue

King Friedrich Wilhelm III instituted the Iron Cross on 10 March 1813 as an award for bravery, available to all ranks, both combatant and non-combatant. By the Supreme Cabinet Order of 12 March 1815, combatants whose bravery in action had been brought to the attention of the King but had not been awarded an Iron Cross as a result, were permitted to ‘inherit’ an Iron Cross 2nd Class when, following the death of a recipient, the cross was returned. A deceased officer’s Iron Cross being awarded to another officer, in similar other rank’s crosses were awarded again to other ranks. A single Iron Cross could therefore be awarded to several combatants. This continued until the 1830’s when it was decided clear the backlog and to award an Iron Cross to those still waiting to ‘inherit’ one. This required a new batch of Iron Crosses to be produced. Those manufactured differed from the earlier versions like this example in being slightly larger and in having flat centre plates without a peripheral step, in general resembling subsequent issues of the cross.

Note: The 1813 Iron Cross is in the British section as they were allies at the time of the Peninsular Wars.

Very Fine $2750

Pair: India General Service 1854-95, one clasp “Hazara 1888” correct script engraving to 809 Pte D.Turner 2nd Bn. North'd Fus. and Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, four clasps, “Cape Colony, Orange Free State, Transvaal & South Africa 1901” correctly impressed 809 Pte D.Turner, North'd: Fus

VF - EF $985

Single: India General Service 1895-1902, 2 clasps, “Punjab Frontier 1897-98, Tirah 1897-98” 97147 Bombr W. Hackworthy No 1 Mtn Bg RA.

Good VF $475

Pair: QUEENS SOUTH AFRICA MEDAL 1899 four clasps "Relief of Kimberley, Paardeberg, Driefontein & Transvaal", engraved to 5542. Pte. H. Jerome 1/Oxfd. L.I. KSA two clasp impressed to 5542 Pte H. Jerome Oxford: L.I.

Note: Medals and clasps confirmed with further research stating “prisoner-released on 20^th April 1902 at Schotland West”.

VF $575

Pair: QUEENS SOUTH AFRICA MEDAL 1899 four clasps "CC, Tugela Heights, Relief of Ladysmith and Transvaal ", impressed to 88206 C. Shg. Sth. T. McFarlane, 78th Bty., R.F.A.,  KSA two clasps. Impressed to 88206 Sjt:-Far: T. McFarlane. R.F.A.

VF $575

Single: Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, three clasps “CC, OFS & S. A. 1902” Impressed to 6385 PTE H. SWAIN YORK & LANC: REGT

Good very fine $325

Single: Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, two clasps “CC & OFS” impressed to 6400 PTE J. WILSON RL: LANC: REGT

Good very fine $325

Single: CHINA 1900 no clasp. Impressed to F. Pritchard, Ord., H.M.S. Pique.

GD VF $575

Single: NATAL 1906 one clasp "1906" impressed to Pte G. Seager, Natal Rangers 

Edge bruising, VF $375

Group of eight: 1914/15 Star (LIEUT. J. P. DUGUID), British War, Victory Medal, (CAPT J. P. DUGUID), GSM GV “IRAQ” (CAPT J. P. DUGUID), IGS “WAZIRISTAN 1919-21” (CAPT J. P. DUGUID A. D. CORPS), Defence, War and 1953 Coronation medal unnamed as issued

John Paris Duguid first appears in WW1 on the R.A.M,C Special List at the rank of Lieutenant in October 1915. Serving all through WW1 up until the early 1920’s including service in Iraq and India, discharging at the rank of Captain.

Post war Captain Duguid travelled, visiting and living in several places including Australia and America.

At home for the outbreak of WW2, Captain Duguid re-enlisted for home service. Reaching the rank of Colonel by the end of hostilities and he further continued to serve post war in a reserve role.

John passed away in 1964 at the age of 74

Note: Comes with research confirming medal entitlement and a copy of photo of the recipient in uniform

VF-EF SOLD

Pair: British war and Victory medal impressed to 42820 PTE A. W. G. MOUNT. M.G.C.

Note: Further research is required but Arthur William Gordon Mount’s medal card shows that this is his full entitlement and that he discharged 10^th June 1919 from the Machine Gun Corps

Near EF $100

Group of Five: GSM (GV1) One Clasp; "PALESTINE” correctly impressed to 3908856 PTE W. GETHIN S. WALES BORD. 1939/1945 Star, Africa Star, Defence and War Medal unnamed as issued.

Note: The 1st battalion, South Wales Borderers were posted to Iraq in November 1941 in anticipation of a German attack. When it became apparent that no such attack was coming, they moved overland the following May to a position just outside Tobruk, which they were ordered to hold in cover of the general British withdrawal of forces from the area. This order, however, was almost immediately countermanded and a chaotic retreat ensued, exacerbated by lack of transport and the capture of the battalion’s reconnaissance officers by the Germans. Under heavy attack, and in unfamiliar and hostile terrain, over 500 men were lost, most taken prisoner.

Originally classed as missing in action and re-classified as Prisoner of War (Germany). Lance Corporal Gethin was prisoner number 6384 at Stalag 317, Sankt Johann im Pongau, Austria.

Stalag 317 initially consisted of prisoners from France and the Soviet Union who were used as forced labour in nearby factories and in agriculture. In November 1943, after the Italian armistice, Commonwealth prisoners arrived from Italy with two hundred NCOs being transferred. Records state approximately 4,000 people died in the camp and indicates that most were Soviet Prisoners.

VF-EF SOLD