Sold

PAIR: British War and Victory Medal, both correctly impressed to 5732 PTE W. K. SHARPLES 59/BN AIF.

EMB: 4^th May 1916 14^thBN

Transferred to the 59^thBN 1^st Jun 1916

Trench feet 14^th Dec 1916

W.I.A: 25^th Apr 1918 (G.S.W face)

W.I.A: (2^nd occurrence) 2^nd Sept 1918 (shell right leg)

Discharged 7^th Dec 1919 3^rdM.D

Note: Medals returned to sender and resent in 1924.

VF SOLD

Trio: 1914-15 Star correct impressed style to 1556 Pte. L. H. B. Hudd, 9........[A]I.F. (unit details are faint due to weak striking); British War and Victory Medals correctly impressed 1556 Pte. L. H. B. Hudd, 9........[A]I.F.

This group comes with a beautifully designed certificate of service outlining the following;

"Leslie Hilland Bruce Hudd was born in McLaren Vale, South Australia. A Lithographer by occupation and a member of the Public Service Rifle Club, he enlisted into the 9^th Light Horse Regiment A.I.F. on 3 September 1915. He embarked for overseas service at Adelaide, aboard the Geelong, 18 November 1915, as part of the 12^th Reinforcements to the 9^th Light Horse and landed at Egypt. With the unit Hudd served in the raid on the Turkish outpost of Jifjafa in the Sinai, April 1916. On 5^th August 1916 he served in the mounted attack on the Turks occupying the high ridge at Hamisah and on 9^th August took part in the heavy fighting at Bir el Abd, where the light horsemen were attacked by near overwhelming numbers of Turks. The stubborn steadiness of the Light Horsemen, fighting throughout, in the heat of the day, saved the retreat from becoming a route. Casualties were heavy with eight officers and sixty-five other ranks killed and thirty-three officers and two hundred and ten other ranks wounded. In October 1916 Trooper Hudd was transferred to the H.Q. of the 3^rd Light Horse. This unit later took part in the actions at Mazar, El Arish, Magdhaba and Rafa. His papers record that Hudd had several run-ins with authority - noting 'neglect of duty' in failing to clean his rifle, in May 1917 and 'failing to salute an officer', in August 1918. Hudd returned to Australia aboard the Delta on 2 August 1919."

Nearly VF SOLD

Five: 1939/45 Star, Pacific Star, Defence Medal, War Medal and Australian Service Medal correctly impressed to VX18985 C. W. Mucklow,

Sergeant Charles William Mucklow a native from Nathalia, Victoria enlisted on 6 Jun 1940. The 2/2nd  Pioneer Battalion fought as companies during the Syrian campaign, but when the Vichy French counter-attacked Merdjayoun on 15 Jun 1941, the 2/2nd regrouped to hold the Litani Bridge and prevent further enemy advance.

On 17 Jun, the 2/2nd participated in the attack on Fort Merdjayoun. French machine-gun fire quickly stopped the attack and the Australians suffered 27 killed, 29 captured, and 46 wounded.

In early 1942 the 2/2nd sailed on the Orcades reaching Oosthaven in Sumatra before going to Batavia. The troops aboard Orcades combined as ‘Blackforce’ to defend Java. The Japanese landed on Java on 28 February 1942. Blackforce went into action at Leuwiliang near Buitenzorg on 4 March fighting against the Japanese for two days but was ordered to lay down arms the day after Dutch surrender on the 8^th of March. The majority of the 2/2nd survived the fighting and spent the rest of the war as prisoners. Of these, 258 men died, most while working on the Burma-Thailand railway.

Mucklow was part of Williams Force, who worked the Burma end of the railway. He died of beri beri at Tha Makham camp, Thailand, on 29 Jan 1944. His body was recovered at the end of the war and reinterred in the CWGC cemetery at Kanchanaburi, Thailand.

 EF SOLD

Five: 1939/45 Star, Air Crew Europe Star, Defence Medal, War Medal, Australian Service Medal correctly impressed to 400969 R. F. Cripps

Flight Sergeant Cripps a native from Glenferrie Vic, enlisted on the 7th of December 1940.

On 9 Jan 43, Cripps was tasked as bomb aimer aboard Lancaster W4371 of 12 Sqn, Bomber Command. The aircraft took off from RAF Station Wickenby, to carry out a mine laying operation in the Saint Peter’s Head area of the West Frisian Islands, near the Danish coast. Nothing was heard from the aircraft after take-off and it the Lancaster and crew failed to return to base.

The crew was listed as missing in action, and an investigation determined the crew was killed in flying battle. Two other planes were also listed as missing at the same time.

Official report states “It is presumed to have been lost owing to enemy action over the target which it was detailed to attack”

Historian Alan Storr states “Following post war investigations and enquires, it was recorded in 1949 that the missing crew had lost their lives at sea”.

This is a rare Air Crew Europe Killed in Action group to an Australian and seldom seen on the market.

 Near EF SOLD

Five: 1939/45 Star, Africa Star, Pacific Star, War Medal (M.I.D.) and Australian Service Medal 1939/45 to an Officer of the 2/43rd Btn. AIF. War Medal and ASM are correctly impressed to SX6994 R. B. Davis. Stars un-named as often found.

MID London Gazette 24-6-1943. Commonwealth of Australia Gazette 16-3-1944 "Award for El Alamein"

WIA 10/8/1941 Tobruk.

Promoted to be Lieutenant 3/1/1943.

Comes with large quantity of research. Original train ticket and Battalion Car Badge for the 2/43rd, plus old period plastic coated ribbon bar, pre ASM award.

EF SOLD

Five: 1939/45 Star, Africa Star, Defence Medal, War Medal and Australian Service Medal all correctly impressed to VX34115 C. V. SPEERS. Comes with box of issue

Enlisted 11^th July 1940 and posted to the 2/3^rd Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment

The unit embarked for the Middle East in December 1940

Sydney Morning herald 18^th June 1941 has Gunner Speers as “Previously reported missing now believed killed”

Records indicate that VX34115 Cyril Speers was at one stage held at an officers camp at Sulmona (Campo PG78)

Discharged 31^st August 1945

Note: The majority of POW’s of the 2/3^rd L. A. A. Rgt were taken during the evacuation of Crete. The approximate figure of Australians in Italian POW camps during the war is 2000 soldiers.

EF SOLD

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 WX284 G. J. STRAUGHAN. Stars un-named as often issued.

At the time of listing these medals Sergeant George James Straughan’s service records were still sealed.

The following was taken from the WW2 nominal roll;

Enlisted 7^th November 1939 into the Australian Army at Subiaco, WA

Discharged 1^ST March 1944

Unit on discharge listed as “2/11^TH BATTALION 6 DIVISION”

Note: With the service number WX284 we know that Sergeant Straughan enlisted on the very first day of enlistment in 1939. The “Western Mail” newspaper dated the 9^th January 1941 lists a “Virgilian Honour Roll” giving us an insight of his service and shows us he was still overseas at that time.  “Cocky's Offsider" WX284 Sgt G. I. Straughan, A/A Platoon, Headquarters Coy.. 2/11 Battalion. AIF. Abroad”

The “Mirror” newspaper dated 31^st October 1942 in relation to Georges wedding had stated the following; “George took everything Hitler’s men could throw at him overseas, and returned to claim his sweet heart. “(First WAAAF wedding in Geraldton)

With the newspaper clipping showing his marriage in Australia in 1942 and knowing the majority of the 2/11^th were taken Prisoners on Crete, it appears that Sergeant Straughan may have been one of the lucky few who were able to make a daring escape off the island. Further research can only enhance this group.

VF SOLD

Three: Pacific Star, War Medal and Australian Service Medal. All medals correctly named to VX131045 H J W SEWELL

Henry Joseph William Sewell was born on the 1^st May 1910 Leichhardt, NSW.

Enlisted in the Militia 1^st July 1928 (36^th Infantry Bn)

To 57/60^th Infantry Bn 1^st July 1935

Enlisted in the Permanent Forces 13^th August 1936 (Ordnance Corps)

Posted to Midland Junction workshops, Western Australia as Sergeant 1938

posted to duty 3^rd Heavy Brigade of Artillery, Rottnest Island and promoted to Warrant Officer Class II shortly after.

Joined A.I.F. November 1940 and continued to be posted to Rottnest Island, Midland Junction (as Armament Artificer) and various other locations in WA before posted to Queensland 13^th Advanced Workshops towards the end of 1944.

Embarked Brisbane for Morotai, Borneo and operations against the Japanese per Transport “Sea Barb” 1945

Enplaned Morotai for Melbourne 18^th January 1946 and to Officer Cadet training.

After WW2 posted to Army Headquarters Master General of the Ordnance Branch, Albert Park Melbourne 1947 and rose up through the ranks as a junior officer before being discharged with the Honorary rank of Major in 1965

Note: Regimental numbers he was given are 10/281681, 3753, VX131045 and 3470

Comes with WW2 Dog Tags, REME rifle competition awards (engraved medallion and plaque), both his original Warrant and also his Commission, along with a beautiful letter from Major-General Canet, CB CBE on Major Sewell’s retirement and his “Record of Service Book” which confirms the three medals as his full issue of medals. Research included

Good 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 4^th July 1940 to 8^th Battalion as V58019

Enlisted A.I.F. at Caulfield 30^th July 1940 2/23^rd Battalion

Embarked Sydney for the Middle East 8^th March 1941

To Corps of Sigs Section 8^th July 1941

To 2/23^rd Battalion Garrison duty against Vichy French in Syria 19^th February 1942

AWOL with 120 days detention and then posted on further operations in North Africa and service at Gaza and Palestine with the 2/23^rd Battalion.

Embarked Suez per “L4” 31^st January 1943

Discharged medically unfit 27^th September 1943 (Malaria)

Note: Comes with Colonel Neil Smiths research

First group near EF second VF SOLD

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 SOLD

Six: 1939/45 Star, Burma Star, Defence Medal, War Medal 1939/45, Queens Korea Medal and United Nations Korea Medal. WW2 medals are all unnamed as issued. Korea Pair correctly impressed to 3/10957 W. J. Whitford.

T/Sgt William John Whitford served with the English army in WW2 (service number 14922415), before enlisting into the Australian army and serving in Korea with 2 RAR

Comes complete with Australian Military Forces Certificate of Discharge (Korean overseas service of 1 year and 44 days). Royal Australian Regiment shoulder title, Ribbon Bar and both medal entitlement cards (WW2 and Korea) confirming all awards.

Near EF SOLD 

Trio: British War Medal, Victory Medal and Coronation medal (QE11). WW1 pair impressed to 31692 DVR S. H. HATTON 36 - H. A. G. AIF. Coronation unnamed as issued.

Comes with a copy of Dvr Hattons photo and profile of service (as pictured).

"Driver Samuel Howard Hatton (31692) enlisted on the 2nd October, 1916, and embarked on the 23rd December with the 9/25th F.A.B. He was in action with the 54th Siege Battalion near Nieuport, and also Polygon Woods, Ypres, Menin Woods, and the Passchendaele stunt. He was slightly gassed at the latter place, and returned to Australia on the 13th May, 1918.

Also comes with coronation roll, confirming that Samuel Hatton was an official guest at the coronation service.

An extremely rare WW1 group to an enlisted man with the QE11 coronation medal

Gd VF SOLD

Pair: British War Medal and Victory Medal impressed to 6109 Pte. F. L. Macey 3 F.A.B. Pk. Sec. AIF

emb.29 Dec.1916  discharged 19 Dec 1919

VF SOLD

Pair: British War Medal and Victory Medal impressed to 176 Pte. C. W. Greet 60 Bn.  AIF

emb. 18 May 1916 ( spent 3 months with cyclists)

KIA 30 Aug. 1918 - missing then burried German cem. Barleux, Peronne

60 Bn impressed on medals is only found on KIA due to the Bn. being disbanded.

VF SOLD

Outstanding POW DFC group to a Pathfinder Pilot and member of the Caterpillar Club who according to a newspaper report in 1965 flew an amazing 85 missions including Black Thursday

Six: Distinguished Flying Cross (dated 1944), 1939/45 Star, Air Crew Europe Star, Defence Medal, War Medal and Australian Service Medal. All campaign medals correctly impressed to 403147 J. H. Nicholls. Along with correct period gold Caterpillar Club badge with red gem eyes engraved ‘F/L J. H. Nicholls DFC

DFC London Gazette date 2^nd June 1944

“Numerous attacks on German & French Targets”.

At the time of listing these Flight Lieutenant John Harold Nicholl’s service records were still sealed. The following was taken from the WW2 nominal roll and various POW websites;

“Johnny” Nicholl’s enlisted into the Royal Australian Air Force in Sydney, NSW on the 9^th December 1940.

Posted to the UK Flight Lieutenant Nicholls did nearly all of his operational flying with 97 Sq (including Black Thursday) before moving with “C” flight to form part of the new 635 Squadron at Downham Market, Norfolk.

On the night of the 30/31st March 1944, F/L Nicholls piloting Lancaster JB706 took off on his 35^th mission from RAF Downham Market, Norfolk, detailed to bomb Nuremberg (Operation: Nurnberg), but was hit by flak near Westerburg (Rheinland Pfalz, Germany). The aircraft crashed and two of the crew WO Jolley and Flt Sgt Whitehead were killed. The other five parachuted including Nicholls who earnt his Caterpillar Club badge in doing so. Once on the ground all five became Prisoners of War. The plane crashed at Mademühlen (Hessen, Germany), 2 km SW of Driedorf. Taking down the plane plane was also claimed by German night fighter (Felwebel Otto Kutzner, 5./NJG3).

Germany In a POW Report Flt Lt Nicholls stated; “An explosion in the fuselage set fire to the aircraft and damaged the elevator control and trim controls as well as loss of power in three engines. The aircraft was out of control and had commenced a stall spin with smoke issuing from the centre of the aircraft inside the fuselage. I gave the order to abandon but this was not acknowledged because the I/C was U/S. I bailed out at approx. 17,000 feet. There was no crew member injured and no crew member still in the aircraft as far as I know. The aircraft landed in a field 20 miles north east of Coblenz. I was captured 24 hours later by German farmers. I have no information re Jolley or Whitehead.”

Casualty enquiry, 18/01/1946.
“ … Questionnaires completed by F/S Ogilvie and Sgt. Smith on repatriation state that W/O Jolley bailed out but was killed to parachute failure. It was probable that F/S Whitehead did not leave the aircraft and they presumed he was killed on information given by Germans … “.

WO Jolley is buried in the Rheinberg Ware Cemetery, Locality Kamp Lintfort, Nordrhein-Westfal, Germany. Flt Sgt Whitehead is buried in the Hanover War Cemetery.

Fl/Lt Nicholls spent the remainder of the as a Prisoner of War in Stalag Luft L1 Barth Vogelsang before being repatriated in 1945.

Discharged 26^th November 1945, “97 Squadron” listed as unit on discharge.

Comes with cased unofficial Bomber Command Medal in case of issue and numbered “4610”.and original group of miniatures with miniature Pathfinders badge 

Good VF SOLD

 Pair: British War Medal and Victory Medal. Correctly impressed to 2893 PTE J. H. TATTERSALL 44-BN. A.I.F.

Emb. 29th December 1916

M.I.A. 1 August 1917

 Classed as K.I.A. by a board of enquiry 8th January 1918. A Red Cross file exists going into details of his unfortunate death (see photos)

Due to there being no known grave for Private Tattersall he is honoured on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial. Private Tattersall enlisted in Kalgoorlie. ;;

Gd VF SOLD

Pair: British War Medal and Victory Medal impressed to LIEUT. L. D. LOBASCHER AIF

Emb. 30th October 1916 as "O. C. troops"

RTA 22nd November 1919

Comes with an original letter of recommendation from Beaconsfield state school where he attended, dated 1907. Also an engraved watch presented to him by the 32nd Battalion Association in appreciation of his services as Honourary secretary 1-9-1936

 VF SOLD

Group of six : QSA  five clasps " CC,OFS,T SA 01,SA 02" (K.R.R.C) top two clasps loose. 1914 -15 STAR, BRITISH WAR & VICTORY MEDALS impressed  2387 Pte/Sgt T.Rogers K.R.R.C. 1939 WAR & AUST.SERVICE MEDALS impressed W243298  T.Rogers.

A nice rare Boer War to WW2 group with his final period still being active service in the 18 Maint. Platoon RAE, Western Australia.

AVG VF  SOLD

Family grouping, Group One: Military Cross, 1914/15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal, Pacific Star, War Medal and Australian Service Medal.

Military Cross period engraved to "LIEUT. T. N. W. B. STEELE 49TH BATT. A.I.F. MOUQUET FARM SEPT 1ST - 6TH 1916". 1914/15 star impressed to 74 PTE T. N. W. B. STEELE 11/L. H. RGT. A.I.F. British War Medal and Victory Medal impressed to Captain T. N. W. B. Steele AIF.  Pacific Star, War medal and Australian Service Medal 1939/45 all impressed in the early small capital letter issue to NX137273 T. N. W. B. Steele.

Emb. 2 June 1915

Transferred to the 2nd Light Horse 29th August 1915 whilst on Gallipoli

Transferred again after Gallipoli to the 49th Bn. as an Officer.

Wins the Military Cross September 1916 "Mouquet Farm"

London Gazette 14th November 1916

RTA 16th April 1918

Captain Steeles WW2 record states that he was part of Eastern Command when he discharged after having been to the Pacific theatre of war.

A very important group to a soldier who rose through the ranks with the light horse in Gallipoli, recognised for his leadership and gallantry and then went on to serve overseas in WW2.

Complete with various silver pens, vesta, lighter and card case. All with initials or monogram.

Second group to the son of Captain Steele M.C.

Group of four 1939/45 Star, Pacific Star (late style period official engraved),War Medal 1939/45 and Australian Service Medal (officially impressed) to NX51099  R.B.Steele who served in the 2/6th Australian Armoured Regiment who with their tanks were involved in the actions at Buna and Sanananda.

He is noted on the roll of the Regimental book "The Vital Factor" which gives an excellent account of Australia's first tank action for WW2 in PNG making his group of 4 that much more interesting.

Complete with excellent photo, Discharge paper and one of his colour patches.  

Good VF SOLD

Pair: British War Medal and Victory Medal both correctly impressed to 6084 PTE G. F. E. SMITH 2 BN.  A.I.F.

Emb. 22nd August 1916

 Died. Suffocation by immersion (found in river Seine)

 Buried at St. Sever (Rouen) "Accidently drowned"

We have attached a copy of the Witness report surrounding the circumstances of Private Smith's death. It is very hard to imagine this as an accident?

Near EF SOLD 

Trio: Military Medal, British War Medal and Victory Medal all correctly impressed to 4746 PTE. A. BRYANT 8 BN. A.I.F.

Emb. 29th May 1916

WIA 18th August 1916 G.S.W. Foot/right

 2nd WIA  11th October 1917 G.S.W. Knee

3rd WIA 28th August 1918 Gassed

RTA 23rd March 1919

London Gazette 14th May 1919

 Very strong service with the award of the Military Medal and three times wounded.

Good VF SOLD

Trio: 1914/15 star, British War and Victory Medal all correctly impressed to 3280 PTE. E. R. BRIMSON 11/BN AIF.

EMB: 2nd November 1915 and posted to “C” Coy

27^th March sprained ankle

KIA: 9th April 1917 During the German counter attack at Louverval (Where Pope won his VC)

Cemetery details: Morchies Australian Cemetery, Morchies, Arras, Nord Pas de Calais, France NOK West Leederville

Note: Records show Ernest Richard Brimson’s British war medal was returned to sender and sent out again

VF SOLD

Six: 1939/45 Star, Africa Star (North Africa 1942-43), Italy Star, Defence Medal, War Medal and Australian Service Medal. Defence Medal, War Medal and Australian Service Medal all correctly named to J. G. SISSONS R.A.N.V.R. Stars for Navy casualties, regardless of cause or location of death, were issued unnamed.

Enlisted in the RANVR in Sydney 20^th May 1941 service number S/V95 (Sydney Volunteer 95)

Commenced training under the “Dominion Yachtsman Scheme” as a potential Officer

Embarked for the UK on the 16^th October 1941

Between December 1941 to October 1942 saw service on the Minesweeper HMAS Collingwood, HMS Victory, Minesweeper HMS Llandudno, HMS King and back to the London Depot before making  Sub Lieutenant 9^th October 1942

Posted as Sub Lieutenant to the HMS Quebec for Combined Operations Depot Inveraray 15^th November 1942

Posted to HMS Copra (Combined Operations Depot) 1^st April 1943 and duty with the Motor Launch 1038 near North Africa

Sub Lieutenant Sissons was killed in action 11^th July 1943 during raiding operations South of Syracuse, Mediterranean Sea as part of Operation “Husky” and the invasion of Sicily.

The crew of HDML1038 were tasked with undertaking “raiding operations” with members of the specially trained 41 Commando, Royal Marines. The objective of HDML 1038 was to land the Commandos south of Syracuse for a pre-emptive strike for when the main landing to occur after.

Sub Lieutenant Sissons is commemorated on the Plymouth Naval Memorial on Panel 84, Column 2 as his body was not recovered.  

Note: Comes with Four Allied Military (Italy) 1 Lira notes, Female Relatives Badge numbered N3598, Mothers and Widows Badge numbered N1450 and the rare RAN Killed in Action next of kin gold lapel pin “This lapel pin is presented by the Chief of Navy in recognition that your loved one, who was a valued member of the Royal Australian Navy, died in Service. May you look upon this in remembrance and wear it with pride”

Near EF SOLD