Australian Groups

Lot 6229       Australian Groups

Estimate $1,250
Bid at live.noble.com.au
SOLD $1,400

GROUP OF FIVE: British War Medal 1914-18; Victory Medal; General Service Medal (GVR) 1st issue - one bar - Iraq; British War Medal 1939-45; Australia Medal 1939-45. 117440 A.Cpl F.C.Wittman R.A.M.C. on first two medals, VI47411 F.C.Wittman on last two medals. Name erased on third medal, the others impressed. Mounted for wear. Contact marks, toned, otherwise very fine.

The Littlest Digger'. One of the most extraordinary men ever to wear a military uniform, Frank Clifford Wittman pulled high level strings to enlist in the A.I.F. during both World Wars. In so doing he faced, and overcame, the considerable problem of being a virtual dwarf with a height of 4ft 4ins (1.32m) and ultra bantamweight six stone four (39.9kg). Wittmann is credited with having been the smallest man ever to enlist in the A.I.F. and the smallest man to serve in the British Army during World War I. Born near Warragul, Victoria, in 1889 Wittman matriculated from Wesley College, Melbourne , where he obtained his rowing colours as a cox, and later qualified as a pharmacist. Wittman's duties as a soldier began with service in the 1st A.I.F. as a Staff Sergeant at Osborne House Convalescent Hospital, Geelong, Victoria. When this unit closed down he sought a discharge and travelled to Britain at his own expense where he joined the R.A.M.C. in May, 1917. Posted to India, he rose from private to sergeant with the 15th Indian Division in Mesopotamia in charge of water chlorination for the entire division. He ended up being responsible for a cadre en route to Afghanistan, serving as chief pharmacist at Baghdad Civil Hospital and being discharged from the British Army in 1920 as 'no longer physically fit for war service'. In 1942, after badgering officials, he managed to enlist in the Australian Army militia and served with Military Intelligence on cipher work, being promoted to sergeant. He was then transferred to the Australian Army Medical Corps, designing and opening a dispensary at Army headquarters, Victoria Barracks, Melbourne. Following his discharge in April 1950 while a Warrant Officer with the Citizens Military Forces he was given the honorary rank of Lieutenant and placed on the retired list of 3rd Military District. Later an inmate of the military hostel for elderly ex-servicemen at Brighton, Victoria, he died at the Repatriation Hospital, Heidelberg, Victoria, on 15th August 1970. Frank Wittman's outstanding record of drive and high patriotism is one that many a far larger man may envy. His military service medals are eloquent reminders that such a tiny titan passed our way. Together with Church of England Grammar School, Melbourne, award medal in bronze (51mm) inscribed on reverse 'Regatta /Public School / Fours / Won by / Wesley College / F.C.Wittmann / Cox'., Wesley College Jubilee badge, Old Wesley Collegians badge, miniature medals on bar, ribbon bar, Returned from Active Service badge, TPI badge, United Empire badge, miniature belt buckle fashioned from an Iranian coin, photographs, postcards, correspondence.