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
