Sold

Pair: Private R. H. King, 20th Battalion, Australian Imperial Forces, who was killed in action on the Western Front on 28 October 1917

British War and Victory Medals (5689. Pte. R. H. King. 20-Bn. A.I.F.); Memorial Plaque (Robert Henry King) in card envelope, with Buckingham Palace enclosure.

Footnote

Provenance: Acquired by the vendor directly from the recipient’s family.

Robert Henry King was born in Clerkenwell, London, and having emigrated to Australia attested for the Australian Imperial Force at North Sydney, New South Wales. He served with the 20th Battalion during the Great War on the Western Front from 22 May 1916, and in a letter home, dated 26 August 1917, he writes: ‘According to the way that the Germans keep retreating I think that he is fed up with it and will soon turn it in and the sooner he does the better for all of us.’

King was killed in action on 28 October 1917. A comrade from the same unit stated: ‘I saw Private King killed at Halfway house at Ypres. He was out delivering rations when he was caught by a shell, which killed him instantly.’ He is buried in Perth Cemetery, Zillebeke, Belgium.

Sold with a quantity of ephemera, including silk postcards and letters written by the recipient to his wife; a small coloured portrait of the recipient housed in a silver pendant; two Australian Military Forces ‘For Australia’ memorial silk; cap badge; and an A.I.F. ‘To the Women of Australia. For Duty Done’ lapel badge, reverse numbered ‘189350’; together with official telegram and letter notification of death; a portrait photograph of the recipient and a photograph of his original grave; and a large quantity of copied research.

Nearly extremely fine SOLD

Pair: War Medal and Australian Service Medal. Both medals correctly named to WX30071 H. E. WALTERS

At the time of listing these medals Private Herbert Edward Walter’s service records were still sealed. The following was taken from the WW2 nominal roll;

Enlisted 15^th July 1942 into the 16^th Battalion Australian Army at Bellevue, Western Australia

Discharged 3^rd November 1944 (possibly injury?)

Further research required

VF SOLD

Pair: British War and Victory Medal both correctly impressed to 9656 SGT. J. L. PAPPIN 11 F. C. E. AIF.

EMB: 31^st May 1916

John Llandaff Pappin was the Farrier Sergeant of the 11^th Field Company Engineers

RTA: 12^th March 1918

Note: Comes with Original Discharge paper, Eastern and Australian Steamship Co., Ltd. S.S. “AUSTRALIAN” 9^TH MAY 1906 passenger list booklet from Australia to Japan confirming Pappin as a passenger, Two Australian Consolidated Commonwealth Government Stock Certificates to Mrs Mary Eliza Pappin, Glenelg SA both to the value of 3500 pounds, The Last Will and Testament of John Llandaff Pappin dated 1935 and listing John as a Coachbuilder in South Australia, and two letter/receipts dealing with the cost and arrangement of his funeral along with two grave site photo postcards. 

VF SOLD

Newspaper article showing McLachlan as Professional golfer prior to his death at the hands of the Japanese

Four: 1939/45 Star, Pacific Star, War Medal and Australian Service Medal 1939/45. All medals officially impressed to NX23783 J McLACHLAN

James was born in Millport on the Isle of Cumbrae, Scotland moving to Australia prior to the war as a professional golfer at Glenelg Golf Club, Adelaide in 1929  (where a tournament for the Jimmy McLachlan Memorial Trophy is still held).

Enlisted: 12^th June 1941 2/18^th Battalion

The 2/18th Battalion participated in the unsuccessful defence of Singapore in early February 1942 where the men were taken as prisoners of war. Jimmy McLachlan died as a POW in 1942.

Date of Death: 11^th July 1942. Initially classed as missing and then classed as died of illness which is how each prisoner’s death was recorded to the Red Cross.

Cemetery/memorial: James Sawers McLachlan was buried in the Kranji War cemetery, Singapore plot 2 row B grave number 16 inscribed “Always remembered” (In 1946, the graves from Changi were also moved to Kranji, many of them during the construction of the Burma-Thailand railway).

Note: Comes with a photograph of Pte McLachlan’s war grave in the Singapore Military Cemetery, four medal documents / letters, a photograph of Pte McLachlan pre-war, newspaper cuttings, Glenelg Golf Club program the “Jimmy McLachlan Memorial Trophy” dated 1948, 1914/18 Red cross medallion and two buttons.

The ‘Jimmy Mac’ is a 36 Hole Stroke Play Championship, open to all Full, Provisional, Intermediate and Junior male members of the Club with a G.A. handicap of 10.1 or less (both amateurs and professionals).

EF SOLD

Pair: Australian Active Service Medal 1945-75 “Vietnam” clasp and Vietnam Medal to 4720718 W. S. BRIDGEWATER with both medals correctly named.

4720718 Sapper William Sydney Bridgewater a Royal Engineer National Serviceman from Henley Beach South Australia

Service shown as;

32 Small Ship Squadron (AV 1356 Clive Steele) 17/12/1969-02/03/1970

32 Small Ship Squadron (AV 1353 Harry Chauvel) 21/05/1970-06/06/1970

32 Small Ship Squadron (AV 1353 Harry Chauvel) 11/11/1970-15/12/1970

Note: Sapper Bridgewater is not entitled to the Vietnam Star due to 128 days in country (less than the 6 months service in country needed).

VF SOLD

Trio: Military Medal, British War Medal and Victory Medal all correctly impressed to 6405 PTE B. H. TUCKETT 24 BN. A.I.F.

Emb: 23^rd November 1916

WIA: 4th October 1917 (G.S.W. Left Elbow)

2^nd WIA: 22^nd March 1918 (Gassed)

3^rd WIA: 1^st September 1918 (B. W. Leg Rt)

Awarded Military Medal London Gazette 17^th June 1919

 ‘This man acted as stretcher bearer throughout the attack on Mt. St. Quentin near Peronne on 1 September 1918, and displayed a courage and devotion to duty which were of the highest order. Undeterred by incessant machine-gun and shell fire, he continued his work of rescuing the wounded, and he worked unremittingly until every casualty was removed from the field. During the operation his company trench was heavily shelled by 6.9s and among the casualties were two wounded men who had been buried. Though the bombardment still continued Tuckett, without hesitation, worked and dug these men out, tended their wounds, and carried them back to safety. His utter disregard for his own safety was instrumental in saving the lives of many of his comrades.’

RTA: 23^rd March 1919 (Medically unfit)

Contact marks (polished) Nearly VF SOLD

Pair: A Great War 1918 ‘Somme’ M.M. pair awarded to Private P. O’Sullivan, 44th Australian Infantry Battalion, Australian Imperial Force, for single-handedly capturing a machine-gun, an officer and 20 men, during an attack on Hamel, 4 July 1918

Military Medal, G.V.R. (61 Pte. P. O’Sullivan. 44/Aust: Inf:); British War Medal 1914-20 (61 Pte. P. O’Sullivan  44 Bn. A.I.F.)

M.M. London Gazette 1 October 1918. The original recommendation states:

‘On the 4th July 1918 during the attack on Hamel, this man on reaching the final objective saw an enemy machine gun being mounted for action. He immediately rushed forward, bombed and killed the crew and captured the gun. He then bombed the adjacent dugout and captured an Officer and 20 men. During the whole of this operation this man showed conspicuous bravery and set a very high example of devotion to duty to his comrades.’

P. O’Sullivan was born in Warren Island, County Kerry, Ireland. He enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force, 10 January 1916, and embarked for France on H.M.A.T. Suevic, 6 June 1916. O’Sullivan served with the 44th Australian Infantry Battalion as part of the 11th Australian Brigade, 3rd Australian Division in the French theatre of war. He was awarded his M.M. for gallantry in operations on the Somme, in particular during the attack on Hamel, 4 July 1918. During the attack on Hamel, 12 German officers and 350 other ranks were captured, together with 20 machine-guns. O’Sullivan’s battalion suffered 22 other ranks killed, 5 officers and 113 other ranks wounded, and 13 other ranks missing.

O’Sullivan returned to Australia in H.T. Plassy in September 1919, and was discharged 10 December 1919.

Note: The BWM was re-united recently (2018) giving hope that the Victory Medal will eventually turn up

Very fine SOLD

Trio: 1914/15 star, British War and Victory Medal all correctly impressed to 3146 DVR. J. F. DAVIS 1/F.A. BDE AIF.

Previous Military service stated as “Rifle Club Tumbarumba”

EMB: 21^st November 1914

Admitted hospital Mena 4^th April 1915 “Sick”

Transferred to 1^st Battery 11^th July 1915 Gallipoli Peninsula

RTA: Invalided on the 3^rd September 1915 “for discharge in Australia”

Discharged: 27^th December 1915 2^nd Military District

Note: Due to Driver Davis’s early discharge he becomes a member of the initial RSL club the “Returned Servicemen’s Association” (RSA) of New South Wales of which his rare original badge numbered 548 is included. Also included is a Political Labor League (NSW) 1915 silver jubilee badge/fob and a 1937 Coronation medallion both belonging to him.

Good VF SOLD

Pair: British war medal and Victory medal impressed to 4892 DVR L. J. RAYMOND 1 ANZ CYC BN AIF (1 CYC. CPS AIF on Victory Medal).

Emb. 7th March 1916 with the 6^th Battalion

Transferred to the 1^st ANZAC Cyclist Bn. 9^th July 1916

RTA: 22^nd May 1919 3^rd Military District

Note: Victory medal was returned to sender in 1921 and in 1928 a new victory medal was sent out, hence the different unit naming on the Victory Medal (Not a broken group). A rare group to the Cyclist Corps

VF SOLD

Memorial Plaque: Correct one piece cast named to CHARLES ALBERT KEMP.

 3165 Private Charles Albert Kemp embarked on the 18 January 1916 from Fremantle with the 28th Battalion AIF.

 KIA 29th July 1916 Pozierres

Villers – Bretonneux Memorial

3252 Private Ryan’s witness report states ”Kemp was killed instantly by shell fire, during an attack at Pozierres on July 29^th, 1915. I was near him when he was hit by a high explosive shortly after we had “stepped over”, He was terribly injured every limb being shattered. It was not possible to bury him, and we had to leave him in no man’s land, we could not bring him in, Enemy fire was to heavy. Ground was not held. He was about 5’7 well built , fair 33 years. Was a miner from Leonora, West Australia.” (Red Cross file AWM)

Good VF SOLD

Trio: 1915/15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal. Correctly impressed 2526 PTE J. NOBLE 17/AUST INF (L-CPL on pair) 

Previous service: 7 years Royal Navy – Naval Brigade NSW & Naval Contingent from NSW to China – on active service (purchased discharge)

Emb: 5^th October 1915 (age 45 years)

Transferred to the 5^th Pioneers 18^th March 1916

Discharged 13^th September 1916, 2^nd M.D. (senility)

Note: Joseph Noble died on the 5th January 1928 at the Prince of Wales Hospital Randwick. According to the contents of a letter from the NSW State Trustees Office, Noble also had home service as a Private in the Australian Army Medical Corps.

Further information is given on a medical form (in his AIF record) stating “Was at the bombardment of Alexandria 1881 and Boxer Rebellion”. The AWM has Noble Able Seaman Noble embarking on the SS Salamis and returning on the SS Chingtu. The China medal roll states his medal was sent to the “C in C Australia 6 Feb 03”. Due to the Australian government not issuing all the China medals at this stage we are unsure if his medal was actually presented to him.

Looking further into the Royal Navy records there appears to be a J. Noble on the HMS Monarch for the Sudan campaign listed as the “Asst. Engr” which could possibly be him however this would make him ten years old (roughly) going off his enlist age given in the first world war. Further research is required.

VF SOLD

Stoker Petty Officer J. S. Andrews, Royal Navy, who was serving in H.M.A.S. Encounter when she became the first Australian Naval Vessel to fire a shot in anger, on 14 September 1914

Four: 1914-15 Star (S.S. 109965 J. S. Andrews. Act. L. Sto., R.N.); British War and Victory Medals (S.S.109965 J. S. Andrews. S.P.O. R.N.); Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., G.V.R., 2nd issue, fixed suspension (K.58497 J. S. Andrews S.P.O. H.M.S. Victory.)

Joseph Sidney Andrews, a labourer from Hull, Yorkshire was born on 6 March 1891. Enlisting in the Royal Navy on 13 July 1910, his Great War service included service in H.M.A.S. Encounter, a ship that was transferred to the Royal Australian Navy, on the Pacific Station, until May 1917, and he was serving in her when Encounter became the first Australian ship to fire a shot in anger, at Toma Ridge, New Guinea on 14 September 1914. Promoted Stoker Petty Officer on 1 March 1918, he was awarded his Long Service and Good Conduct Medal on 3rd October 1925, and was invalided from the service due to general paresis on 23 November 1931.

Mounted as worn, contact marks, nearly very fine SOLD

RECOMMENDED FOR THE VICTORIA CROSS

Trio: Military Medal, British War Medal and Victory Medal all correctly impressed to 6572 L/CPL G. G. ROBERTSON 7 BN. A.I.F.

Emb. 2nd October 1916

WIA 4th October 1917 G.S.W. Thigh

Awarded Military Medal 24th October 1918

RTA 27th July 1919

Cpl Roberston was one of the 133 (AWM website) that in WW1 were recommended for The Victoria Cross (including those awarded). It seems in Robertsons case, that he got himself into a minor prank involving souveniring womens knickers. It could be argued that this stupid prank may well have cost him, his countries highest honour.

Interesting note: When one examines the Victoria Cross recommendations in the AWM, 233 recommendations are listed. Exactly 100 duplicate examples are amongst these (where a soldier has been resubmitted, or a variation is present). So the true number of people recommended for the Victoria Cross in WW1 was 133 (66 of these were awarded).

Good VF SOLD

Eight: Military Medal, British War Medal and Victory Medal all correctly impressed to 2228 PTE F. ROBERTSON 58 BN. A.I.F. 1939/45 Star, Africa star, Defence Medal, War Medal 1939/45 and Australian Service medal 1939/45 all correctly impressed to VX44370 E. J. ROBERTSON

Emb. 1st May1916

WIA 25th April 1918 G.S.W. Neck

London Gazette 17th June 1919

RTA 5th August 1919

Due to his WW2 records being unopened (at this stage) we can only see an outline of his Africa service of which he served with the pay corp as a sergeant.

Francis appears to have changed his name to Eric (most likely due to his age) on enlistment in WW2 and this is backed up by his WW1 records that states that he has "No relatives living", The difference in age is roughly 5 years between the records and therefore can not be a son. These medals have all come together from a very old collection and is worthy of further research. A strong citation and a very impressive grouping.

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

Three: British War Medal, Victory Medal and E11 coronation medal first two correctly impressed to 37326 A-CPL. R. T. GORE 4 D.A.C. A.I.F.

Enlisted on the 5th September 1916

Embarked 5th November 1917

RTA 31st March 1919

Ralph Thomas Gore was born in Glen Innes, NSW, on 4 October 1888. He was educated at Brisbane Grammar School and was called to the Queensland Bar in 1915. He was associate to Sir Samuel Griffith in 1915-16 and then served in the Artillery in WW1. He practised at the Queensland Bar 1919-24 and became Crown Law Officer in Papua in 1924. He was judge of the Supreme Court of Pupua 1928-42 and Judge of the Supreme Court of Papua New Guinea 1945-62. He died in 1968.

As the CBE is an unnamed medal, one could easily acquire the medal to add to this important group.

Good VF SOLD

Captain Smith-Ryan

Four; 1939/45 Star, Pacific Star, War Medal all correctly impressed WX3453 A. R. Smith-Ryan

A bank officer with the Commercial Bank of Australia from Northam, WA, enlisted on 21 Nov 1940, after service as a Lieutenant in the 11th Battalion of the Militia. As the original Second-in-Command of ‘B’ Company, 2/4th MG Bn.

Landing in Singapore in January 1942 with his company as support to the Manchester Fusiliers originally tasked with defending the naval base. From 8–15 of February, 137 men of 2/4th MG Bn were killed or missing, 106 wounded, and 24 suffered ‘shell shock’ from Japanese air, artillery and infantry attacks.

Upon the units surrender, he was marched to Changi with remnants of 2/4th MG Bn and spent the duration of the war in Adam Park and Changi. He was responsible for writing the unit’s War Diary and secretly kept a personal diary whilst a POW, hidden from the Japanese. Much of what we know about the 2/4th MG Bn during the Battle for Singapore was extracted from these diaries. He was recovered in 1945, and returned to WA, living in East Perth. He died in Floreat Park, WA, on 13 Nov 1970.

A very rare officer’s medal group to a key player in the 2/4^th story

 VF SOLD

Six; 1939/45 Star, Africa Star, Defence Medal, War Medal,  Australian Service Medal and Greek War Medal. Allk Australian medals correctly impressed to WX292 W. H. F. Clarke.

William Henry Francis Clarke a mill hand from Swanbourne, WA, enlisted on 7 Nov 1939. An original member of 2/11th  Bn,

Private Clarke saw action at Bardia, Tobruk and Derna before the campaign in Greece.

On the 17^th of April 1941 during a Luftwaffe airstrike on the withdrawal through Brallos Pass Private Clarke was tragically killed (being the first member of the Battalion killed in action in the Greek campaign). He was quickly buried by the side of the road and his body has not been recovered.

Private Clarke was later commemorated on the Athens Memorial, Greece.

Ex: Status International sale Oct 2009

 VF SOLD

WX2246 George Sandercock

Seven; 1939/45 Star, Africa Star, Pacific Star, War Medal, Australian Service Medal and Greek War Medal. All Australian medals correctly impressed to WX2246 G Sandercock,

A miner from Brookton, WA, Lance-Bombardier enlisted on 25 Apr 1940. He disembarked with 2/3rd Field Regiment at Gourock, Scotland on 17th June 1940 for training, where the 2/3rd was equipped with the new 25 Pounder. He arrived in Palestine on 31 Dec 1940, supporting the advance across North Africa to the frontier. Sandercock drove a truck shot up by enemy aircraft on 26^th of February 1941. He embarked for Greece on 26 Mar 1941 In support of the New Zealanders they supported at Elasson on the 18th of April, at Erithrai on the 26^th of April and at Porto Rafti on 27^th of April 1941.

The 2/3rd lost 7 KIA, 17 WIA and 2 POW in Greece and destroyed their guns before the withdrawal to Crete on 3 Jun 1941. The 2/3rd was engaged against German paratroop landings at Suda and Retimo and covered the withdrawal to Sfakia prior to evacuation. Sandercock was amongst the final troops to be evacuated from Crete. The 2/3rd lost 20 KIA, 30 WIA and 126 POW on Crete.

After recuperating back in the Middle East, the 2/3rd returned to Australia on 25 Mar 1942. Sandercock landed with the 2/3rd at Aitape on 17 Oct 1944, remaining until the end of the war, returning from Wewak on 20 Sep 1945. Discharged on 30 Oct and died in Melville, WA on 7 Oct 1976.

 VF SOLD

Pair: 1914/15 Star and Victory medal (missing BWM). Both correctly impressed to 474 PTE (CPL on Victory Medal) H. WEBSTER 16 BN. AIF

 Emb. 22 December 1914. Proceeded to Gallipoli 12 April 1915

 WIA. 11 May 1915 (wounded "upper extremities" and amputated his finger as a result) Quinns Post

 RTA 9 December 1918

 Great early fighting group from the landing to the hugely significant Quinns post.

VF SOLD

Three:Military Medal, British War Medal and Victory Medal. Military Medal impressed 3585 CPL J. H. Priest 10/AUST. INF. And War and Victory medals impressed 3585 SGT. J. H. Priest 27 BN AIF (having served in both the 10^th and 27^th Bn)

Emb. 11^th January 1916

WIA: 18^th September 1918. Gun Shot Wound Left Ear. This wound was prior to the advance that won him the military medal and it appears he was also wounded a further second time.

London Gazette 17^th June 1919

Discharged 27^th October 1919

An extremely impressive citation for the heavy fighting at Jeancourt where it appears SGT Priest not only assaulted machine gun positions, but also came back with six prisoners.

.

GD VF SOLD

Trio: 1914/15 star, British War and Victory Medal all correctly impressed to 706 PTE. W. H. TOMS 27/BN AIF. (SGT on BWM & VM)

EMB: 31^st May 1915

Taken ill 1^st November 1915 after escorting prisoner from the front

Promoted Sergeant 19^th August 1916

KIA: 5^th November Villers-Bretonneux

Note: Served on Galliipoli and then in France where he was reported missing on the 5^th November 1916 near Flers in the attack on The Maze. Later confirmed as killed in action.

SOLD

Trio: Military Medal, British War Medal and Victory Medal all correctly impressed to 1662 L/CPL P. GOGGIN 53 BN. A.I.F.

Emb. 14th April 1916

Military Medal action 14th November 1917

 London Gazette 23rd February 1917

RTA 19th April 1919

A good defensive action in repelling the enemy

Comes with a photo of Corporal Ward and his original discharge paper.

Good VF SOLD

Group of Seven : 1939/45 Star, Africa Star, Pacific Star, Defence Medal, War Medal 1939/45, Australian Service Medal 39/45 and Australian Service Medal 1945/75 two clasps “SW Pacific & Japan”. All WW2 medals are correct to period style naming to NX52611 J P HALL. The ASM 45-75 is correctly named to NX502108 J P HALL due to reenlistment.

Enlisted 4^th July 1940 and after training taken on strength with the 2/33^rd Battalion (2^nd reinforcements)

Embarked Sydney for the Middle East 3^rd February 1941

13^th March – 23^rd May 1941 operations Egypt to Palestine

8^th June – 14^th January 1942 operations in Syria against the Vichy French

Embarked Suez and arriving in Australia 10^th March 1942

Promoted to L/CPL and embarked for Port Moresby for operations against the Japanese including the Kokoda Track 31^st August 1942

Wounded in Action 14^th October 1942 near Templeton’s Crossing

Several attacks of Malaria find Corporal Hall back in Australia before he embarked for Balikpapan 25^th June 1945 (assault landings).

RTA: 23^rd December 1945 and discharged 14^th January 1946

Re-enlisted 18^th March 1946 and served with the 65^th Infantry Battalion BCOF Japan

Discharged 17^th May 1948

Note: Comes with a copy of Colonel Neil C. Smith’s research and service record. Mounted as worn.

VF SOLD