Australian Medals

A Great War 1916 ‘Somme’ M.M. awarded to Corporal G. D. Thompson, 4th Light Trench Mortar Battery, Australian Artillery, Australian Imperial Force, later Lieutenant in the 14th Australian Infantry Battalion

Single: Military Medal, G.V.R. (1063 Cpl. G. D. Thompson. 4/Lt: T.M. By: Aust: A.) 

M.M. London Gazette 8 December 1916. The original recommendation states:

‘North West of Pozieres. I wish to recommend Thompson for distinction. During the period the Battery was in the trenches Thompson showed great ability and bravery. On the 8th August, the night of the attack by the 15th Battalion, he handled his men splendidly, and after having completed his firing he then remained at his gun through exceedingly heavy enemy barrage, and obtained the position of the advanced line of 15th Battalion and enemy position, thus enabling me to use my gun. His conduct throughout was most distinguished.’

George Dominic Thompson was born in Byker, Newcastle upon Tyne in 1893. He enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force, 1 October 1914. Thompson was posted to the 14th Australian Infantry Battalion, and served with them in Gallipoli before being evacuated to Mudros due to illness, 24 August 1915.

Thompson advanced to Corporal in June 1916, and transferred to the 4th Light Trench Mortar Battery, Australian Artillery the same month. He served with the Battery in the French theatre of war from July 1916, and distinguished himself on the Somme during the following month. Thompson advanced to Sergeant in November 1916, and was commissioned Second Lieutenant in the 14th Australian Infantry Battalion in May 1918. He served with the Battalion in the French theatre of war and advanced to Lieutenant in July of the same year.

Thompson returned to Australia in January 1920, and was discharged in March of the same year.

Very fine $1850

Single: Military Medal (GV) correctly impressed to “2234 SJT: A. J. SMITH 3/ARMY BDE./AUST.F.A.”

Emb: 16^th June 1915 with the 1^st BN AIF

Joined Battalion at Gallipoli 7^th August 1915

Transferred 10^th February 1916 to the 53^rd BN

Transferred 15^th March 1916 to the 114^th Bty (later 115^th Bty).

MM London Gazette 16^TH August 1917

Promoted 2/LT. 10^th April 1918

Promoted LT 10^th July 1918

RTA: 11^th May 1919 

Note: No citation can be found at this stage (worthy of further research).

Very large EK at 9 o’clock otherwise VF $1425

A Great War 1917 ‘French theatre’ M.M. awarded to Lance-Corporal A. Briggs, 20th Australian Infantry Battalion, Australian Imperial Force, for his gallantry with rifle-grenades during a counter-attack at Lagincourt, 15 April 1917. He was wounded in action at Pozieres, 5 August 1916, and received a gunshot wound to the right arm and left knee at Bullecourt, 2 May 1917

Single: Military Medal, G.V.R. (1671 L. Cpl. A. Briggs. 20/Aust: Inf:)  

M.M. London Gazette 18 June 1917 on page 6026 at position 16. The original recommendation states:

‘These men showed great initiative and bravery when their company was held up during the counter-attack near LAGNICOURT on 15^th. April they crawled within 50 yards of the enemy’s strong post and with the use of rifle grenades bombed the enemy out, thus allowing the advance to continue.’

Note: The AWM has embroidery from Lance Corporal Briggs and the following is a copy of their very informative research

"Born in Sydney in 1892, Albert Biggs, who is said to have disliked being called 'Bert Biggs', was working as a labourer when he enlisted in the AIF on 29 May 1915, using the alias Alfred Briggs.

After initial training, Briggs was assigned as a private, service number 1671, to the 2nd reinforcements for 20 Battalion. He left Sydney for overseas service on 19 June, aboard HMAT A61 Kanowna. The battalion trained briefly in Egypt before arriving at Gallipoli in late August, where they defended Russell's Top until they were evacuated to Egypt in December.

The battalion moved to France, for service on the Western Front in April 1916. Briggs was promoted to lance corporal on 14 May but reverted to the rank of private on 16 July at his own request. He received a gunshot wound to his left leg on 5 August, during the battalion's first major action at Pozieres, and was evacuated to the 3rd London General Hospital. 

Two months later Briggs was discharged to the 5th Training Battalion, where he remained until he rejoined the 20th Battalion in France on 19 February 1917. He was promoted to lance corporal on 23 March. On 15 April Briggs was awarded the Military Medal for 'great initiative and bravery', at Lagnicourt.

Briggs was severely wounded during the second battle of Bullecourt, on 5 May, sustaining a penetrating shrapnel wound to his left knee and a severe fracture of the humerus, just above his right elbow. He was evacuated to the 6th Field Ambulance, then to a casualty clearing station, and finally to the 1st Australian General Hospital at Rouen, where he remained until the end of April 1918. On 29 April he was transferred to England, to the Tooting Military Hospital in London. In July Briggs was sent to 1 Australian Auxiliary Hospital at Harefield, suffering from disability and a mental condition, to prepare him for his return to Sydney in September. He spent nearly two years at the 4th Australian General Hospital (4 AGH) at Randwick, and convalescent homes, before his discharge from the army on 7 July 1920.

Brigg's wounds permanently fused his left knee, and so damaged the nerves in his right arm that he had very little function in that hand. He was encouraged to take up embroidery as a means of both passing the time and of 'training' his left hand in fine motor skills. This example is thought to have been completed while he was at 4 AGH. While he was in hospital Briggs' wallet and Military Medal were stolen from his bedside locker. A new medal was issued to him, correctly named at his request to 'Biggs'.

Towards the end of his long life Biggs lived with his niece, Emily, and her husband Fred Lees. She made three of her uncle's rehabilitation embroideries into cushions, which were always positioned on her living room sofa. The embroideries were donated to the War Memorial in memory of Albert Biggs.”

Very fine $2000

Single: Military Medal (GV) correctly impressed to 3761 L. CPL H. BATCHELOR 20/AUST; INF:

Emb: 20^th January 1916

WIA: 26^th May 1916 (G.S.W. Face)

2^nd WIA: 26^th July 1916 (G.S.W. Buttock).

3^rd WIA: 31^st August 1918 (S. W. Head and also written as S.W. Left cheek) wound received whilst earning his Military Medal.

RTA: 17^th August 1919

There is confusion between his first two wounding’s and he appears only credited with two wounding’s. This is contradicted as he is taken back on strength between the dates.

MM London Gazette 17 June 1919

“During the operations MONT ST. QUENTON N. E. of PERONNE, on 31^st August 1918, these two (3761 L/CPL Batchelor along with 5355 PTE Jackson) soldiers went forward to form a covering party during the transfer of troops from the trench to another. They kept up fire during the duration although both were wounded. They made back to our trench when the operation was completed.”

Note: Tragically Harry Batchelor was swept off the rocks at Bondi Beach whilst fishing and subsequently drowned on the 22^nd of March 1925. A well-known local cricketer by the name of James Verner Garner (who is the only man ever to bowl out both Victor Trumper and Don Bradman) attempted to rescue him but was washed on to the rocks several times whilst trying to save him. Newspaper articles at the time hint towards Garner being awarded a medal for the attempted rescue (further research required).

This medal is partly erased with 70 percent still clearly visible. The fact that so much remains could be wear to the edge on what was a shallow striking and not done with any malice (see photos).

Other than stated above VF $1725

Single: Military Medal, G.V.R.  correctly impressed to 1947 Gnr: F. Nicholas. 101/How: By: 1/Bde: Aust: F.A.

M.M. London Gazette 12 June 1918. The original recommendation (jointly listed with Gunners A. E. Schmidt and A. Woodington) states:

‘For most conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty on the night of 17th/18th March 1918, when during a heavy hostile gas and high explosive bombardment of the battery near Norfolk Bridge on the Ypres-Comines Canal, North East of St. Eloi, a gun pit was ignited by an enemy shell and severe damage was threatened. Under great difficulties these gunners extinguished the burning pit, with the result that the gun was only temporarily out of action and the loss of ammunition minimised.’

Frank Nicholas was born in Parkes, New South Wales, Australia. He enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force, 24 August 1915. Nicholas was posted to the 1st Light Horse Regiment in March 1916, and transferred as a Signaller to the Australian Artillery in May of the same year. He served with the 101st Howitzer Battery, 1st Field Artillery Brigade in the French theatre of war from December 1916.

The following year Nicholas suffered from Trench Feet and Rheumatic Fever, before recovering to distinguish himself in action near St. Eloi, Ypres, 17/18 March 1918. Nicholas was severely gassed during the action, and returned to Australia in October 1918.

Nicholas was discharged in May 1919, and in later life resided in Bendigo, Victoria.

Nearly very fine $1850

Pair: British War Medal and Victory Medal both correctly impressed LIEUT. G. W. KEELER. A.I.F. Also entitled to Military Medal and 1914/15 star.

Emb. 22^nd December 1914 as number 188

Proceeded to join M.E>F. Gallipoli

Promoted through the ranks to Sgt 19^th August 1917

WIA 6^th April 1918 (GSW Lt Arm)

Awarded Military Medal, London Gazette 29^th August 1918

Appointed 2^nd Lieutenant 14^th October 1918

Appointed Lieutenant 25^th January 1919 “promoted for consistently conscientious work” (The fighting Thirteenth Page 140)

RTA 15^th November 1919

Note: No citation can be found at this stage (worthy of further research).

VF $1425

Pair: British war medal and Victory medal impressed to 4478 PTE E. L. STEPHENS 1 BN AIF

Previous service listed as "21^st INF MILITIA” (2 YEARS) NSW

Emb. 15^th January 1916

WIA or injury (?) initially whilst on duty in France 10^th 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: 3^RD May 1916 with the 1^st ANZAC Cyclist Corps before transferring to the 1^st BN AIF September 1916

8^th 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: 19^th 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: 8^th November 1916

 WIA/KIA: Initially classed as wounded 6^th 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 6^th 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. 9^th November 1916

WIA 22^nd September 1917 "GSW L/Foot Severe"

RTA: 5^th 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

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: 11^th Oct 1915

WIA: 18^th April 1917 (concussion, head) France

RTA: 27^th Sept 1917

Discharged: 3^rd M.D (medically unfit) 26^th 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 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

Family grouping of two brothers who tragically died in France

Group 1; Pair: 1914/15 Star and Victory medal (missing British war medal). Both correctly impressed to 1384 PTE H. MORRIS 8/BN A.I.F. (1314 CPL H. MORRIS 8 BN A.I.F. on victory)

Emb. 2^nd February 1915

Admitted to hospital Gallipoli sick 9^th September 1915

Transferred to 4^th Light Mortar Battery 14^th August 1916

Died of injuries on the 31st August 1918 caused by a motor accident (fractured skull). This was whilst on active service behind the lines in France and he was taken to the 4^th Field Ambulance and then to the 53^rd Casualty Clearing Station where he died.

Cemetery details: Daours Communal Cemetery Extension, Picardie, France

Group 2; Pair: 1914/15 Star and Victory medal (missing British war medal). Both correctly impressed to 3419 PTE C. MORRIS 14/BN A.I.F.

Emb. 11^th October 1915

KIA: 11^th April 1917 (No body was found of Private Morris after the attack on Villers-Bretonneux)

Memorial details: Villers-Bretonneux Memorial, Picardie, France

Note: Includes the badges pictured and a beautiful gold fob with “HONOUR AND FREEDOM, AIF” encircling a soldier with the reverse inscribed “To William Morris, A grateful tribute from his friends of Weewin. In the memory of his son C. Morris”

Near EF $1425

PAIR: British War and Victory Medal, both correctly impressed to 1576 L/CPL T. KELLEHER 9 BN AIF.

EMB: 13^th February 1915 with the 9^th Battalion

RTA: 4^th May 1915 for reasons unknown (due to this part of the file missing). The 9^th Battalion was in the initial waves at the landing at Gallipoli and by the 4^th May it is possible that slightly wounded or stable wounded could have been sent home to recover (depending on the wound). There is no reference to a charge appearing later on in his service and a wound or injury seems the only likely event that once recovered would carry no prejudice on re-enlistment.

EMB: Now as number 2487 with the 8^th BN on the 16^th July 1915

Absent without Leave on the 16^th August until apprehended by the Military Police. Also for using threatening language to a superior and attempting to escape. Sentenced 28 days detention as of the 13 September 1915

Taken on strength at Lemnos on the 31^st October 1915 heading for Gallipoli. We can only assume he reached Gallipoli with nearly two months left of fighting before the evacuation and the next entry in his records show him disembarking at Alexandria on the 7^th of January 1916 with the rest of Gallipoli’s evacuated force.

Transferred to the 57^th BN on the 22^nd March 1916

KIA: 25^th October 1917 Belgium. Unfortunately no body was recovered for Thomas Keleher and he is remembered on the Menin Gate Memorial.

Note: A letter on file from his mother alerts us to the sad fact that his brother number 2696 Private James Martin Keleher 3^rd BN AIF was also killed in action the year before on the 25^th of July 1916 at Villers-Bretonneux

When searching records for Thomas Kelleher he may appear under his second number 2487 and the family surname is spelt with one “L”. Missing 1914/15 star based on previous enlistment. On the surface he was a very interesting man and hopefully with good research his full story will be discovered.

VF $625

Pair: British war medal and Victory medal impressed to 3052 PTE T. McCAULEY 10 BN AIF

Emb. 14^th September 1915

Transferred to the 50^th Bn (26^th February 1916)

Transferred to the Australian Army Medical Corps officially the 6^th March 1919 but parading with unit from the 2^nd November 1918

Discharged 4^th military district 13^th August 1919 Medically unfit 

Note: Entitled to 1914/15 star, however the pair was re-united recently (2018) giving hope that the 1914/15 Star will eventually turn up. A note that came with medal indicates he died in 1930 with the official records stating “died after discharge”.

VF+ $375

Pair: British war medal and Victory medal impressed to 5236 PTE E. WALLIS 10 BN AIF

Emb. 25^th March 1916

Sprained Left Ankle (Severe) 16^th October 1916 "In the field"

Transferred to the 70^th Bn (23^rd March 1917)

RTA: For home service on the 27^th August 1917 due to age.

VF+ $375

Trio: 1914/15 Star, British War and Victory Medal all correctly impressed to 2417 PTE. C. McCARTHY 11/BN AIF.

Charles McCarthy enlisted on the 10^th May 1915 in to the 11^th Bn A.I.F.

Taken on strength 7^th Reinforcements 11 Battalion at the Dardanelles on the 4^th August 1915

11^th November 1915 leaves Gallipoli Peninsula due to Dysentery

18^th November 1916 whilst meant to be recovering in London Charles is arrested for AWOL and being out of uniform. He is awarded 12 months in prison hard labour.

Sentence reduced to 6 months and in June 1917 Charles was back on the frontline with the 11^th Battalion where he stayed until the end of the war.

RTA: 27^th April 1919 Discharging 5:M.D in June that year.

VF+ $785

Pair: British War Medal and Victory Medal impressed to 6347 R. G. Turner 11 Bn. AIF

emb. 18 Sept 1916  RTA 1.6.1919

WIA GSW both arms and head 23 April 1917

VF $475