Great War Australian Welcome Home Medal, 26mm, gold (9ct.), the obverse featuring a soldier, the reverse engraved ‘Pres. by the Council of the Shire of Cambooya to J. Hannah member of the A.I.F. 1918’, with elaborate ring suspension,
Good very fine. $650
Great War Australian Welcome Home Medal, 40mm x 31mm, gold (9ct.), the obverse featuring a soldier above which are engraved initials ‘G.A.’, the reverse engraved ‘Presented to G. Armstrong by the citizens of Weston on his return from active service’, with small ring suspension,
Good very fine. $685
Green and White Diamond Just released, 556 pages by Neville Browning. 20th Bn never released a unit history, a must have for unit history collectors.
SOLD
Greetings from H.M.A.S. “Stalwart” card. All kind thoughts at Christmas and Sincere good wishes for the coming year. Signed “Ben Baswood”
$40
GRENADIER GUARDS SANDBAG ACTION CASUALTY
Single: Crimea 1854-56, 4 clasps, "Alma, Balaklava, Inkermann, and Sebastopol" correctly impressed to G. Alcock, Grenadier Gds.
3420 Private George Alcock ('Allcock' in the published roll), 3rd Battalion Grenadier Guards was severely wounded at the battle of Inkermann, 5 November 1854. On a later roll he is listed as ‘Dead W.O. 29.4.56'. As Private Alcock was classed as "Severely wounded" one can only guess that his death was a result of his wounding.
The Russian force of no less than 7,000 men attacked the Sandbag Battery bravely defended by 2,000 men. A rare casualty medal to such a significant action.
Slight contact marks and edge bruising, VF SOLD
FAMILY GROUPING
GROUP 1: Pair: British War and Victory Medal both correctly impressed to 14021 PTE J. CLARKE WORC. R.
Note: Unclear as to relationship of both groups but not father & Son. Medals came together and we do not split families
GROUP 2: Five: 1939/45 Star, Africa Star, Defence Medal, War Medal and Australian Service Medal. Defence Medal, War Medal and Australian Service Medal all correctly named to VX48050 L. L. CLARKE Stars un-named as often found with early issue.
Enlisted 4th July 1940 to 8th Battalion as V58019
Enlisted A.I.F. at Caulfield 30th July 1940 2/23rd Battalion
Embarked Sydney for the Middle East 8th March 1941
To Corps of Sigs Section 8th July 1941
To 2/23rd Battalion Garrison duty against Vichy French in Syria 19th February 1942
AWOL with 120 days detention and then posted on further operations in North Africa and service at Gaza and Palestine with the 2/23rd Battalion.
Embarked Suez per “L4” 31st January 1943
Discharged medically unfit 27th September 1943 (Malaria)
Note: Comes with Colonel Neil Smiths research
First group near EF second VF SOLD
FAMILIY GROUPING TO TWO BROTHERS
GROUP 1: Trio: 1914/15 star, British War and Victory Medal all correctly impressed to 3723 PTE. R. EDDY 7/BN AIF.
EMB: 23RD November 1915 (18 years old)
Transferred to the 60th Battalion on the 18th March 1916
REPORTED MISSING: 19TH July 1916
Board of enquiry concluded that Private Richard Eddy was shot through the head in "the charge" of July 19th at Fleurbaix. His body was sadly left in no-man's land. See Red Cross file on AWM website.
Group 2: Pair: British War and Victory Medal both correctly impressed to 4799 PTE. R. EDDY 38 BN AIF.
EMB: 21ST June 1917 (29th Bn)
Transferred to 38th Bn. 18th December 1917
WIA: 26th August 1918 "S. W. left arm"
RTA: 4th July 1919
Note: It appears Robert answered the call to arms after he learnt of the death of his brother Richard. A sad story of two fighting brothers. Robert Eddy's medals were returned to sender in 1923 and re-sent in 1928.
National Archives records have Charles Latham Williams file incorrectly numbered as 649 when researching
VF – EF SOLD
Husband and Wife Grouping
Group 1; Group of Four: 1939/45 Star, Pacific Star, War Medal 1939/45 and Australian Service Medal 39/45. All medals correctly impressed to V280669 F W PYGALL
At the time of listing these medals Frank Pygall’s service records were still sealed. The following was taken from the WW2 nominal roll;
Enlisted 24h September 1941 Armidale Victoria
Discharged 28th January 1947
Unit on discharge listed as “115 HEIDELBERG MILITARY HOSPITAL”
Note: A quick trove search shows that on the 24th December 1943 Pte Pygall and a Pte Malvern were removed from being dangerously and seriously ill in the Infantry section of the casualty list. It appears he is still kept in hospital until being discharged in 1947, further research required
Group 2; Pair: War Medal 1939/45 and Australian Service Medal 39/45. Both medals correctly impressed to VFX128550 B. M. PYGALL
Note: Betty Pygall enlisted in the Australian Army Medical Women’s service, Heidelberg, Victoria which appears to be a classical romance story from taking care of a soldier in hospital.
Near EF SOLD
Group of 5: Military Medal G.V.R (7/8 KOSB), Queens South Africa two clasps “T, SA02” (7498 KOSB), 1914 Star with slide on clasp, British War and Victory Medals. 7498 Sgt. G. Reilly KOSB.
MM London Gazette 2nd November 1917 page 11341
VF $1350
Group of Eight : Military Medal G.VI.R. , 39-45, Africa with 8th Army & Pacific Stars. Defence, War & Australian Service Medals. Regimental Medal with clasps “New Guinea, Syria, Egypt, Palestine” (engraved as issue). The 3 Stars and Defence Medal are as issued unnamed. MM, War & ASM correctly impressed. This indicates an early issue (1948) when Australia was initially going to follow the UK by issuing their medals unnamed. The Defence Medal is part of what appears to be part of a large group which was awarded into Queensland unnamed. This group comes straight from the family.
Military Medal Commonwealth of Australia Gazette 9.8.1945. This was an immediate Award and signed off by Blamey.
At WEWAK on the 14th of May 1945 during the attack on the Wirui Mission features, private Burton was in the leading section of the forward company. The attack was made with tanks, but due to the nature of the ground they ,.were confined to the one track,
approximately fifteen feet wide. As the platoon approached the objective, an enemy machine gun opened up and wounded Burton’s section leader. The tank supporting the section was very close to the enemy’s pit, but the tank commander was unable to see the
enemy through his periscope. At the same time the enemy machine gun opened fire on the section other enemy in the pit moved forward with anti-tank mines with the intention of placing them under the tank tracks.
Immediately appreciating the situation, Private Burton boldly took charge, and with great determination and courage assaulted the post with his section. Wiped out four occupants and prevented their attempt to disable the tank.
Burtons quick thinking and leadership saved the company from loosing its tank support, for had the leading tank been disabled no others could have passed it in time to support the company during the remainder of the attack. Private Burton’s initiative
And the speed with which he moved his section in for the assault, was a fine example of good leadership to his men.
SOLD VF $8,000
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
GROUP OF ELEVEN: Military Cross (GVR); 1914-15 Star; British War Medal 1914-18; Victory Medal 1914-19; 1939-45 Star; Pacific Star; Defence Medal 1939-45; British War Medal 1939-45; Australia Service Medal 1939-45; Coronation Medal 1953; Police Long Service and Good Conduct Medal (EIIR). 553 Pte C. McI. Potts 13/Bn A.I.F. on star, Lieut C. McI. Potts A.I.F. on third and fourth medals, NX 12434 C. M. Potts on seventh, eighth and ninth medals, Clarence McIntosh Potts on eleventh medal. MC unnamed, second, third and fourth medals impressed, fifth and sixth medals unnamed, seventh, eighth and ninth medals impressed, tenth medal unnamed, last medal impressed. All correct to issue and mounted as worn.
Clarence Potts enlisted 8th September 1914 as a Private number 553 with the 13th Bn (later being commissioned with the 45th Bn having come up through the ranks).
Proceeded to join M.E.F. Gallipoli and in his own words from his service record "Landed Gallipoli 25th April 1915" and "In rear-guard at evacuation"
Records state the following "3/12/1915 to be Lance Corporal. Heart complaint in Greek Hospital. Wounded." (This shows possibly another wound at Gallipoli making it a total of three wounding's)
WIA: France 8th August 1916 (G.S.W. back and arm) and also states (multiple Gunshot wounds, severe)
2nd WIA: 17th August 1918 (Multiple bomb wounds)
MILITARY CROSS. L.G.: 29th November 1918 C.G.: 23th May 1919 'For conspicuous gallantry and good leadership in an attack. He led his company with great skill, capturing 150 prisoners and a battery of 5.9 guns. Later, after making a daring reconnaissance he advanced his line 2,000 yards and consolidated his position under heavy fire. He set a splendid example of coolness and determination to his company'
R.T.A. 1st May 1919.
WW2. NX12434 Captain Potts Enlisted 20th May 1940
Taken POW at the fall of Singapore and Interned by the Japanese in a Malay camp for over three and a half years.
Returned to Australia after the Japanese surrender arriving in Sydney 29th October 1945.
Comes with research, photocopies of service records, an extract from the War Diary of Alexandria Hospital Malaya 14th February 1942 giving explicit details of the Japanese actions in the hospital, copy of telegram from the Minister for the Army notifying Mrs Potts of Captain Potts being a P.O.W., New South Wales Police Department Certificate to certify C. Mc. Potts served in the N.S.W. Police Force.
Note: Captain Pott's medals were initially sold by Noble Numismatics in 2006 for $8,700 plus buyer's premium (19.75%) of $1675 which equals $10,375. Ten years later we are proud to offer such an outstanding officers fighting gallantry group covering two conflicts, multiple wounds and a POW of the Japanese.
VF SOLD
Group of Five : 1939/45 Star, Pacific Star, Defence Medal, War Medal 1939/45 and Australian Service Medal 39/45. Defence Medal, War Medal and ASM are correctly impressed to W. 3060 S. L. SCORGIE with the stars being unnamed as often found.
Stoker Scorgie served on the HMAS Swan whilst in January 1942 it was lucky to escape when attacked by Japanese bombers. The HMAS Swan was then tasked to reinforce (Sparrow Force) in Timor where it was attacked by a force of 45 Japanese aircraft and again narrowly escaped. Whilst taking shelter in Darwin, Australia had its first attack on Australian soil and the HMAS Swan took indirect hits trying to escape the harbour. The HMAS Swan had 3 killed in action and 19 wounded.
VF SOLD
Group of five: 1939/45 and Africa Stars (impressed), War Medal and Australian Service Medals (impressed), Naval Long Service Good Conduct Medal (Engraved). 16687 B. F. Biram.
Bartolomeo Colleoni Medallion on contemporary stand with small enamel HMAS Sydney badge. Engraved naming in typical style.
Petty Officers bullion hat badge, Original photograph in uniform, True copy of certificate of service, Original telegram to family offering sympathy for the loss of their son on HMAS Sydney.
Finally the jewel in the crown, is his original substantial diary describing life on the Sydney between the dates of 18 April 1940 to 30 December 1940. Including his description of the Bartolomeo Colleoni action. There is also a large quantity of research.
This is one of the best documented HMAS Sydney groups ever to be seen on the market. The diary adding that true personal touch.
SOLD
Group of Five: 1939/45 Star, Africa Star "1st Army", Italy Star, Defence and War Medal to 5381977 SGT Frederick Arthur Clayton. Unnamed as issued.
Sgt Clayton enlisted on the 2nd March 1935 with the Oxford & Buckinghamshire Light Infantry with service in India prior to WW2. During WW2 Sgt Clayton served in the African campaign as a qualified member of the 3rd Parachute Battalion of the Army Air Corps. 1946 saw Sgt Clayton transfer to the Army Reserves with the Royal Engineers.
Complete with Army Book 64 Soldier's Service & Pay Book, Record of Service Card, Certificate of Transfer to the Army Reserve, Medals Card, Certificate of Service, Soldiers Release Book Class "A", three Photographs and Para Regiment Badge.
Note: Italy star is not shown on his certificate of service even though the medal card supplied shows confirmation of all medals including "1st army clasp".
VF SOLD
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
Group of five: NWF of India 1908 Distinguished Conduct Medal (EDVII), IGS 1854 three clasps "Burma 1885-87, Sikkim 1888, Samana 1891 "(Gunner No 9 By 1st Bde N Dn RA); IGS 1895 three clasps " Relief of Chitral 1895, PF 1897-98, Tirah !897-98 "(Corpl. No3 Mtn By RA); IGS 1908 one clasp "NWF 1908" (Sjt. No 3 Mtn B RA); Army LSGC Medal (EDVII) to Sgt. J. Charlton RGA. Some contact marks otherwise generally very fine, with copied original Recommendations and service papers.
DCM LG 12.8.1908: Sergeant John Charlton, Royal Garrison Artillery. For operations against Zakka Khel and Mohmands; Army Order No 252 of October 1908.
M.I.D. LG 22.5.1908 Sergeant Charlton’s name appears in Appendix A of Major General Willock’s despatches for operations of the Bazar Valley Frontier Force 13th February – 2nd March 1908.
Only 9 DCMs awarded for the NWF 1908 campaign.
Value point: Unique to the RA and an extremely rare combination of IGS campaign medals/clasps to a British Army Other Rank having served an incredible 30 years continuously in NW India.
VF SOLD
Group of Five:1939/45 Star, Pacific Star, War Medal, Australian Service Medal 39/45 and QE11 Coronation medal. First four medals correctly impressed to V145395 P. R. SMITH. Coronation medal un-named as issued.
Enlisted on the 5th January 1942 into the Australian Army Canteens Service for service in Port Moresby. Commissioned as Lieutenant shortly after.
Embarked 25th February1943 for PNG
Returned to Australia due to “Dengue” August 1943
Discharged 9th August 1944 as Captain.
Unit on discharge listed as “3 MD AACS”
Note: Records show previous service in WW1 with 36 H.A.G A.I.F. as regimental number 31424
Coronation medal came with the group and is not confirmed if it was awarded to Captain Smith or a relative.
EF $325
Group of Four : 1939/45 Star, Pacific Star, War Medal 1939/45 and Australian Service Medal 39/45. Both the War Medal and ASM are correctly impressed to F. 5172 A. W. H. JOHNSON with the stars being unnamed as often found.
Seaman Johnson served on multiple Aux. Minesweepers including the HMAS Bendigo as the first Australian Minesweeper to take up duties between Milne Bay and Manus.
After New Guinea patrols, Seaman Johnson was deployed in various anti-submarine roles in the Philippine waters and then on to Hong Kong.
VF $375
Group of Four : Italy Star, Defence Medal, War Medal 1939/45 and Australian Service Medal 39/45. All medals impressed to 68012 K. E. Mills.
Sgt Mills was posted to the Overseas Headquarters and his records show that he was not issued or entitled to a 1939/45 star.
A confidential report was made on Sgt Mills stating he had "Radical ideas" and "Communistic principles". A very interesting group with the rare Italy star, only 3200 being issued to the Airforce and seldom impressed.
VF SOLD
Group of four : MILITARY CROSS G.V.R. British War & Victory Medals plus "Mayor of Exeter" Key 1933.
MC engraved " 8th Sept 1916, Kenneth Gatey, Devon Regt" Pair impressed Lieut.
MC London Gazette 20 October 1916
Temp.2nd Lieut. Kenneth Gatey, Devon Rgt.
"For conspicuous gallantry during a raid.When hung up by the enemy's wire he deliberately cut it, aided by a corporal and a lance corporal, and, entering the enemy's trenches, accounted for several enemy and took a prisoner."
KEY engraved with:
" Southern Railway Exeter Central - New Station opened by - The Mayor of Exeter Kenneth Gatey Esq. MC. 1st July 1933."
Key is HM Silver Birmingham 1932 and is lightly gilded.
Purchased direct from the family.
Good VF SOLD
L/CPL "Paddy" Fitzgerald in Egypt
Group of Four, plus ANZAC plaque: Military Medal, 1914/15 star, British War Medal and Victory Medal all correctly impressed to 341 L/CPL. P. FITZGERALD 23 BN. A.I.F.
ANZAC medallion correctly named to P. FITZGERALD
Enlisted. 15th February 1915 as an original member of "B" company
WIA 3rd May 1917 G.S.W. R/Arm
2nd WIA 16th May 1918 (slight) remained on duty
RTA 9th March 1919
Commonwealth Gazette 27th Aug 1917
The following extract was supplied by Paddys niece (in 1989) as part of paddy's story. There are four pages in total.
"Upon disembarkation at Alexandria the 2nd Division were transfered to the A.I.F. camp at MENA where further training was carried out prior to reinforcing the troops already on Gallipoli. On the morning of September the 2nd, 1915, the transport ship "SOUTHLAND", a vessel of 11,899 tons carrying 1600 men of the 21st BTN and "B" company of the 23rd BTN from Alexandria to Lemnos, was torpedoed in the AEGEAN SEA, causing a loss of one officer and 32 men.
It was during this action that Paddy saved the life of a soldier and was believed to have been recommended for a V.C. but a subsequent fight with a member of the provost corps saw an end to any award.
The troops were rescued by the hospital ship "NEURALIA" and other ships and were returned to Alexandria where they were regrouped and returned to Gallipolli arriving between the 6th - 8th of September, 1915.
The 23rd BTN relieved the 13th Light Horse Regiment at Lone Pine...... Paddy was evacuated from Gallipoli on the night of 12th December, 1915, with "A" party of the 6th Brigade where he returned to Egypt."
Good VF SOLD
Group of four: 1914-15 Star, British War & Victory Medals. 2334 Pte. A. H. E. West, 3-London Rgt. With Death Plaque showing all names leaving no doubt as to authenticity. Comes with original condolence slip and medal entitlement Document. A member of the 2/3rd BN London Rgt (Royal Fusiliers), he was killed on the 28th of November 1915 at age 22 and buried at the AZMAK CEMETERY, SUVLA. Inscription on his headstone reads “THEIR GLORY SHALL NOT BE BLOTTED OUT”. Comes with a large amount of research.
Gd VF $950
Group of Four: 1939/1945 Star, France & Germany Star, 1939-1945, Defence and War Medal to 3776911 Sgt Herbert Horatio Austin. Unnamed as issued.
After a brief stint in the air force in 1933, Sgt Austin enlisted on the 16th June 1940 with the King's Regiment. Sgt Austin's Special Service Brigade booklet for the Commando's shows he was taken on strength of the 2nd Special Boat Squadron on the 17th August 1943 and it was not until 1946 that Sgt Austin transferred to the reserves.
Complete with Certificate of Service & Discharge Royal Air Force, National Registration Card, Embarkation Card, Ration Book, Application for Particulars of Soldiers Pay, Old Comrades Association of the Special Service Brigade Card & Letter, Record of Service Card, Certificate of Transfer to the Army Reserve, Soldiers Release Book Class "A" and Photograph.
VF SOLD
