Single: GSM (QE11) One Clasp; "MALAYA" 22979869 TPR. T. HOGAN. 11 H.
VF $200
Single: GSM (QE11) One Clasp; "CYPRUS" 2303751 PTE. J. SOUDEN. GORDONS.
Note: Autumn1955, 1st Battalion of the Gordon Highlanders was on leave in the United Kingdom. They were recalled with 48 hours’ notice and were the first British Army Unit since 1945 to fly out to an Emergency.
The Gordon’s two main aims were to improve security and to obtain information.
In November 1955 were widespread attacks throughout the island including the use of bombs and an official State of Emergency was declared
VF $235
Pair: A Great War 1916 ‘Somme’ M.M. pair awarded to Private O. M. Selig, 13th Australian Infantry Battalion, Australian Imperial Force, a battalion runner who worked for 48 hours without rest, and was continually exposed to sniper and shell fire. He was wounded in action, 17 May 1918
Military Medal, G.V.R. (3917. Pte. O. M. Selig. 13/Aust: Inf:); British War Medal 1914-20 (3917 Pte. O. M. Selig. 13 Bn. A.I.F.)
M.M. London Gazette 8 December 1916. The original recommendation states:
‘For bravery and devotion to duty during the operations N.W. of Pozieres 29th/31st August. He was a battalion runner and worked for 48 hours without rest and was continually exposed to the greatest danger from shells and snipers. His courage and devotion to duty are very highly recommended.’
O. M. Selig was born in Dungoy, near Maitland, New South Wales, Australia, in 1892. He enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force, 30 August 1915, and embarked for Egypt, in December 1915. Selig served with the 13th Australian Infantry Battalion as part of the 4th Australian Brigade, 4th Australian Division in the French theatre of war from June 1916.
Selig was awarded his M.M. for gallantry in operations on the Somme, in particular during attacks north west of Pozieres 29/31 August 1916. The Battalion War Diary for these dates records an attack on Mouquet Farm. During the latter the Battalion suffered 8 other ranks killed, 3 officers and 42 other ranks wounded.
Selig continued to serve with the Battalion in France, and was wounded in action, 17 May 1918. He was invalided to England a few days later, and returned to Australia in the H.T. Marathon. Selig was discharged 21 March 1919.
Both suspension claws re-pinned, nearly very fine $2950
A Great War 1916 ‘Somme’ M.M. pair awarded to Driver P. Ryan, 49th Australian Infantry Battalion, Australian Imperial Force
Pair: Military Medal, G.V.R. (3470 Dvr: P. Ryan. 49/Aust: Inf: Bn:); 1914-15 Star (3470 Pte P. Ryan. 9/Bn. A.I.F.)
M.M. London Gazette 9 March 1917. The original recommendation (jointly listed with Driver H. McFarlane) states:
‘On the 13th November 1916 the Pack Transport was dispersed by shell fire and some mules were killed and others escaped. The Quartermaster, with the assistance of these two men, immediately assisted to collect the mules and turn out transport from the Battalion and brought rations to Flers. This was during the period that Flers was being shelled by the enemy. The behaviour and devotion to duty of these two men during the time between 13th November 1916 and 26th November 1916 was excellent. They were cheerful under all conditions and I think their conduct was an excellent example to the remainder of the Battalion Transport. These two men have consistently done good work in the Battalion Transport and I beg to recommend them for some honour.’
Percival Ryan was born in Glen Innes, New South Wales in 1893. He enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force, 3 August 1915, and embarked for Egypt with the 9th Australian Infantry Battalion in October 1915. Ryan transferred to the 49th Australian Infantry Battalion in February 1916, and served with them in the French theatre of war from June 1916.
Ryan was awarded the M.M. for his gallantry at Flers, Somme in November 1916. He returned to Australia in April 1919, and was discharged, 5 August 1919.
Mounted for display, good very fine $2250
A good Great War 1918 ‘Somme’ M.M. awarded to Private F. B. O’Donnell, 3rd Australian Infantry Battalion, Australian Imperial Force, for the capture of 4 machine guns and 45 prisoners during the attack near Hargicourt, 18 September 1918
Single; Military Medal, G.V.R. impressed to 6802 Pte F. B. O’Donnell 3/Aust. Inf.
M.M. London Gazette 17 June 1919. The original recommendation states:
‘For conspicuous bravery and devotion to duty at Hargicourt on 18th September 1918. With his Platoon Sergeant and Section Leader, Pte. O’Donnell under heavy machine fire rushed an enemy machine gun and helped to capture four machine guns and 45 prisoners. He killed the crews of two of the guns. Prior to this action he single handed captured a small enemy post and a garrison of eight. He did excellent work throughout and set a fine example of determination and fearlessness.’
The following additional detail is given in the Official History of Australia in the War 1914-1918, Vol. VI:
‘Lieut. Lord, to advance quickly, split his platoon into two, half led by Sgt. McMillan. Half way up the northern slope of the spur the left stopped by machine gunners in a knot of trenches. Leggett’s platoon on the north side of the valley was sniping across at these when it saw three Australians coming from the south towards the nest of guns. They were Sgt. McMillan and two of his men (L/Cpl Bradford and Pte F. B. O’Donnell). Following closely on the barrage, they had seen a machine gun firing on the troops on the left, and they hurried to work round into the trench full of Germans, putting on a bold face on their surprise they hurled their bombs. The whole trench-full surrendered, whereupon all the other Germans in the valley fled to the rear.’
Francis Bernard O’Donnell was born in Haymarket, Sydney in 1888. He enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force at Liverpool, New South Wales, 6 November 1916. O’Donnell was subject to court martial on two separate occasions - firstly for striking a superior officer, 23 April 1917, and latterly for fighting and drunkenness in the field, 11 June 1918.
O’Donnell served with the 3rd Battalion Australian Infantry Battalion in the French theatre of war from October 1917. He was awarded the M.M. for his gallantry near Hargicourt, Somme, 18 September 1918 (Sergeant McMillan’s D.C.M. was sold in these rooms in February 2019). On the latter date the Battalion War Diary records losses of 1 officer and 7 other ranks killed, 5 officers and 71 other ranks killed, whilst giving 60 Germans killed, approximately 200 captured, along with 22 guns and 20 machine guns captured during the attack. O’Donnell returned to Australia in May 1919.
Very Fine $2350
A scarce Great War ‘French theatre’ M.M. awarded to Lance Corporal M. J. Sheridan, 3rd Australian Tunnelling Company, Australian Imperial Force, who was wounded in action 18 February 1917
Single: Military Medal, G.V.R. (1163 L. Cpl. M. J. Sheridan. Aust: E.)
M.M. London Gazette 17 June 1919.
Michael Joseph Sheridan was born in Kingston, Dublin, Ireland in 1886. He enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force at Blackboy Hill, Western Australia, 29 November 1915, and served with the 3rd Australian Tunnelling Company, Australian Engineers in the French theatre of war from 5 May 1916. The Australian company relieved the 255th Tunnelling Company in the Laventie/Fauquissart area in May 1916.
Sheridan was wounded in action, 18 February 1917, and having returned to his unit was posted to work around the Cité St. Pierre area near Lens in late 1917. In February 1918, ‘a party of men from the 3rd Australian Tunnelling Company’s headquarters at Bracquemont travelled 40 kilometres to the British Tank Corps headquarters located at Bermicourt. On 10 February, an overcast day which saw men thickly clothed and cloaked in their trench coats to stave off the chill wind that swept across the open landscape, the tunnellers prepared and simultaneously blew two mines placed next to each other on the Tank Corps’ tank testing area.
The mines were blown as part of a trial designed to test the effectiveness of mine craters as a defence against tanks, and British tanks were used to negotiate the obstacles thus created. The group of Australian tunnellers comprised the company’s CO, Major Alexander Sanderson, Sergeant 1012 Matthew Goodlad, 2nd Corporal 1163 Michael Sheridan.... [and 7 others]... Two tanks rumbled down into the mine craters until their roofs were flush with ground level. Then, amid clouds of exhaust fumes and the roar of engines, they struggled to gain sufficient traction up the steep, crumbly crater walls to haul themselves out.
Among the witnesses to the trial were Lieutenant General Sir Arthur Holland, the General Officer Commanding I Corps, his Chief Engineer, Brigadier General H. Gordon, D.S.O., the commanding officers of the 185th Company and the 1st Canadian Tunnelling Company, Majors Tulloch and North respectively, and Charles Bean, the Australian Official Historian.
The information gained on this day proved to be of immense value to the 3rd Australian Tunnelling Company, then operating in the I Corps area, in its preparation of defensive works to meet German tank assault along the front at Loos....’ (Crumps and Camouflets, Australian Tunnelling Companies on the Western Front by D. Finlayson refers)
Sheridan advanced to Lance Corporal in April 1918, and returned to Australia in June 1919. He was discharged, 19 December 1919.
Nearly very fine $2250
Single: Military Medal (GV) correctly impressed to 3177 Pte. G. J. A. Long. 45/Aust: Inf:
M.M. London Gazette 28 January 1918. The original recommendation states:
‘For courage and devotion to duty at Zonnebeke on 12 October 1917. He was one of a party digging a communication trench during an attack on enemy trenches and when the party was withdrawn owing to very heavy casualties he remained behind and dressed the wounded. He then organised stretcher squads and got all the wounded back. His courage under fire was most marked.’
Note: G. J. A. Long was born in Sydney, Australia, in 1894. He enlisted in the Royal Army Service Corps in New South Wales, 10 July 1916. Having embarked for the UK in November 1916, he arrived at Devonport in January 1917. He was drafted to the 45th Australian Infantry Battalion, A.I.F., and served with them in the French theatre of war from March 1917.
Long was twice wounded in action, including a gunshot wound to the shoulder and right arm on 30 May 1917, and a severe gunshot wound to the left arm on another occasion. He was discharged in Australia in May 1919.
Very Fine $1625
Five: 1939/45 Star, Pacific Star, Defence Medal, War Medal (M.I.D.) and Australian Service Medal 1939/45. All medals Officially impressed to WX27931 W. E. LYNES (11TH AUSTRALIAN INFANTRY BATTALION)
MID "For exceptional service in the field in S.W. Pacific area" and gazetted under the period for the 1st April, 1945 to 15th August 1945 Borneo.
London Gazette 6TH March 1947.
Commonwealth of Australia Gazette 6TH March 1947.
Corporal William (Bill) Edward Lynes from Collie Western Australia served 1509 days from the 16th December 1941 to 1st February 1946 of which 414 days were outside Australia serving with the 11th Australian Infantry Battalion.
Note: Comes with original M.I.D. award document with additional “Oak Leaf” M.I.D. device, Service awards issue documents, Soldiers Record of Service Book (with photo), Statement of Service certificate and Certificate of Discharge (All original period paperwork).
Very rare to see an M.I.D. to an enlisted man on the market and it is believed that there is roughly only about four issued per battalion in WW2
EF $2400
Single : South Africa Medal 1853 impressed : LIEUT. H.J.N. KING 6th REGT wounded in action 9.6.1851.
A superb medal to an easy to research Officer thanks to his triple initial. The State of Victoria Gazette of Jan 29 1869 under "POST OFFICE" then "BALLARAT" shows him taken on strength of the Victorian Government in 1853 - the year before EUREKA.
Numerous newspaper reports show the demise of King for embezzlement of the Ballarat Post Office in 1869. There is much more research that can be done on this Officer and it would be interesting to learn if he played any part in the EUREKA uprising due to the probable central meeting place of the Ballarat Post Office and his loyalty to the Army.
Good/VF $4750
RARE AFC PILOTS GROUPING
Three: 1914/15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal. All three correctly impressed to 1507 DVR C. A. ALISON 8/A.S.C. A.I.F. on star and 2/LIEUT. On pair.
Colin Archibald Alison Enlisted in the 301st Motor Transport A.S.C. on the18th September 914
Seldom seen 1914/15 Star earned whilst serving as part of the A.I.F. in France (not Gallipoli)
18th September 1917 marched in at the rank as sergeant from France to be attached to the Australian Flying Corps training depot England
On the 4th of January 1918 he joined Number 2 Royal Flying Corps School of Aeronautics as a cadet to qualify as a Pilot
Taken on strength in 8th Squadron Australian Flying Corps as a pilot on the 5th May 1918
29th June 1918 made 2/Lieutenant as a result of graduated as a Flying Officer (Pilot) with his Commanding Officer stating, “A very good pilot, will make a good officer”.
To graduate category “A” which Alison did a pupil must have
1. Undergone instruction at a school of Aeronautics
2. Completed 25 hours Solo and Dual
3. Attained Flying Standard “V” on an elementary machine
4. Flown a Graduation Aeroplane satisfactorily
5. Climbed to 10,000 feet, remained there for at least 15 minutes, after which he will land with his engine stopped, the aeroplane first touch the ground and coming to a halt within a marked circle 150 yards in diameter
6. Passed the following tests:-
(a) Formation Flying. Satisfactorily maintained his position in formation flights for a total of four hours
(b) Forced landings. Four forced landings in fields not forming part of Aerodrome
(c) Cloud Flying. While taking full control of machine remained three minutes in clouds with instructor.
(d) Aerial Gunnery. While diving at a ground target taken two successful photographs of the target from 1500 feet or under.
5th October 1918 on Command at R.A.F. Fighting School Harske from 8th Squadron A.F.C
1st March 1919 appointment terminated 2nd Military District ex “Marsina”
Note: The rarity of any AFC pilots group to the market can be fully appreciated in the fact only 410 Australians served as Pilots during WW1 in the Australian Flying Corps.
VF + $2400
Pair: British war medal and Victory medal impressed to 4478 PTE E. L. STEPHENS 1 BN AIF
Previous service listed as "21st INF MILITIA” (2 YEARS) NSW
Emb. 15th January 1916
WIA or injury (?) initially whilst on duty in France 10th May 1916 "To hospital eye trouble" and goes back and forth from duty to hospital because of this injury.
RTA: Discharging NSW in August 1917 "medically unfit" as a result of “defective eyes”
Note: There is an unopened “Vocational Training” file in National Archives (1920). This was a scheme to give selected soldiers training in a trade post war.
Good VF $375
PAIR: British War and Victory Medal, both correctly impressed to 377 PTE N. D. CUDDEFORD 1 BN AIF.
EMB: 3RD May 1916 with the 1st ANZAC Cyclist Corps before transferring to the 1st BN AIF September 1916
8th 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: 19th February 1919 and discharged Medically unfit NSW (from Cootamundra)
VF $375
Family Grouping:
PAIR: British War and Victory Medal, both correctly impressed to 6846 A-CPL (PTE ON VICTORY MEDAL) R. J. WATSON 2 BN AIF
EMB: 8th November 1916
WIA/KIA: Initially classed as wounded 6th November 1917, then reported wounded/missing before he was finally reported Killed in Action after a court of inquiry into his death.
Private Harris from his battalion gave the following statement in reference to Cpl Watson’s death; “Watson was buried by shell at Passchendaele on the 6th November with McDonald, Sutcliffe and Cox. I helped to dig them out and buried them behind the trench which was just in rear of village.”
Confirming Private Harris’s statement to be true and correct, Cpl Watson’s body was exhumed at the first possible opportunity and he now rests in the Passchendaele New British Cemetery (six and half miles N. E. from Ypres).
Also comes with a British War and Victory Medal (pair) correctly impressed to 181003 GNR J. W. S. WATSON R. A. Medal roll confirms this to be the full entitlement to John William Stewart Watson who is believed to be Robert’s brother. Further research required
VF $775
Pair: 1914/15 Star and British War medal (missing Victory medal). Both correctly impressed to 2780 PTE F. W. BARKER 2/BN A.I.F. (CPL on War Medal)
Emb. 30th September 1915
Transferred to the 55th Bty 14th Brigade 16th March 1916
WIA. 20th October 1917 (Gassed)
Discharged 6th October 1919
VF $385
Pair: British war medal and Victory medal impressed to 6983 PTE M. GRIFFIN 2 BN AIF
Previous service listed as "A.M.C."
Emb. 9th November 1916
WIA 22nd September 1917 "GSW L/Foot Severe"
RTA: 5th April 1918 and subsequently discharged "medically unfit" as a result of his wounds
Near EF $400
Trio: 1914/15 star, British War and Victory Medal all correctly impressed to 769 DVR (PTE on star). C. A. HANDLEY 4/BN AIF.
EMB: 20th Oct 1914
Joined Battalion on Gallipoli 14th June 1915
Left Gallipoli on the 7th August 1915 "sick"
21st September 1917 appointed driver
Hospital France (influenza) 21st Dec 1916
RTA: 24th September 1918
Note: Private Cecil Albyn Handley appears to have WW2 home service as N70284 with the rank WO2
VF $975
Pair: British War Medal and Victory medal (missing 1914/15 star). Both correctly impressed to 1349 PTE W. J. THORP 5 BN A.I.F.
Emb. 2nd February 1915 as regimental number 1426
Proceeded to Gallipoli ex Egypt 3 April 1915
Disembarked in Egypt ex Gallipoli 7th January 1916 (probably still on British ship)
Transferred to 5th Pioneer Bn 16th May 1916
WIA 29th September 1918 (G.S.W. Buttock & right arm)
Discharged 14th May 1919
A letter applying for the ANZAC Medallion (in his records) by Private Thorp himself states that he was at the landing on the 25th April 1915 and was further wounded at Gallipoli where he ended up on the Destroyer "Reindeer" and remained for some time "to help the British".
Total war service is recorded as "4 years and 185 days".
VF $650
Four: 1914/15 star, British War, Victory Medal and War Medal 1939/45. WW1 trio correctly impressed to 647 T/SJT (PTE on star) C. L. WILLIAMS 6/BN AIF. War medal 1939/45 correctly impressed V83170 C. L. WILLIAMS (Full entitlement).
EMB: 19th October 1914
WIA: 4th May 1915 Gallipoli "G. S. W. neck"
2nd WIA: 3rd May 1916 Gallipoli "G. S. W. lower extremities"
Transferred to Ordnance Corps 8th August 1917
RTA: 23rd October 1918 "Special leave"
Returned to the UK and taken on strength at A.I.F. HDQRS with rank of Hon. SGT.
RTA: 22nd October 1919
WW2 home service was recorded as HQ3 DIST DETAILS CAMP from 14th March 1940 until 20th July 1941 (16 months). The requirement for the Australian Service Medal at the time being 18 months makes this group his full entitlement
Note: An early entry in May 1915 at Gallipoli of a soldier being wounded is often due to wounds caused during the landing. Battalion musters were not able to be performed on the beach until the 2nd of May and records and information was filled in as a result of those initial musters.
National Archives records have Charles Latham Williams file incorrectly numbered as 649 when researching
VF $1300
Trio: 1914/15 star, British War and Victory Medal all correctly impressed to 3274 PTE. T. M. COLE 8/BN AIF.
EMB: 11th Oct 1915
WIA: 18th April 1917 (concussion, head) France
RTA: 27th Sept 1917
Discharged: 3rd M.D (medically unfit) 26th Dec 1917
GOOD VF $995
Three: Private G. L. F. Butcher, 8th Battalion, Australian Imperial Force, who was killed in action on the Western Front on 26 July 1916
1914-15 Star (262 Pte. G. L. F. Butcher. 8/Bn. A.I.F.); British War and Victory Medals (262 Pte. G. L. F. Butcher. 8-Bn. A.I.F.)
Gordon Leslie Fleuret Butcher attested for the Australian Imperial Force and served initially with the 8th Battalion during the Great War, before transferring to the 58th Battalion. He was killed in action on the Western Front on 26 July 1916, while serving with the latter unit, and is buried at Rue-de-Bois Military Cemetery, Fleurbaix, France.
Light traces of verdigris, very fine $1200
Pair: British War Medal and Victory Medal impressed to 4456 Pte. T. Clough 8 Bn. AIF
emb. 28 Jan 1916 RTA 5 Jan 1919
1)WIA 16 July 1916 58 Bn. 2) 1. Nov 1918 3) recorded GSW 4.Dec 1918
A nice multi wounded pair.
Near VF $525
Pair: British war medal and Victory medal impressed to 484 PTE W. JONES 8 - BN AIF
Emb. 27th May 1916
Transferred to 8th Bn from the 39th (hence the low service number) 9th September 1916
WIA 20th September 1917 "GSW Rt Buttock Severe" and also shows as "Shrapnel Wound Neck"
Discharged "medically unfit" as a result of the wounding on the 8th May 1918
VF $425
Pair: 1914/15 Star and Victory medal (missing BWM). Both correctly impressed to 1361 PTE W. N. HAMILTON 8 BN AIF
Pte. Hamilton also appears as number 1348
Emb. 2 Feb. 1915
WIA. 8 May 1915 (G. S. W. left leg)
RTA. 12 December 1915 Medically unfit.
Pte. Hamilton is recorded as being wounded on the 8th of May 1915 which is where the 8th Battalion was involved in Krithia. An extremely important yet tragic early battle in the Gallipoli campaign.
VF $650
Pair: 1914/15 Star and Victory medal (missing BWM). Both correctly impressed to 2781 PTE D. BAMBRIDGE 8 BN AIF
Emb. 15 Sept. 1915
WIA. 26 July 1916 (shell shock)
2nd WIA 9 August 1918 (G.S.W. right arm)
Disch. 8 April 1919
Pte Bambridge also served in the short lived 69th Bn AIF
VF $450
