Australian Groups

Lot 4170       Australian Groups

Estimate $2,500
Bid at live.noble.com.au

GROUP OF TEN. Distinguished Service Medal (GVR), 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, 1914-18, Victory Medal, 1939-45 Star, Pacific Star, British War Medal 1939-45, Australia Service Medal, Long Service and Good Conduct Medal (GVR), (H.M.A.S. Platypus) Messina Earthquake Medal (H.M.S. Lancaster), Chief Engine Room Artificer, A.W.C. Maggs, R.N./R.A.N. The fifth and sixth medals unnamed, the last engraved, others impressed. Very fine. $ D.S.M.: L.G. 2 Nov.1917: 'For services in submarines in enemy waters.' Albert William Courtney Maggs was born in Bexley, Kent, on 6 March 1888. Entering the Royal Navy as a Boy Artificer on 19 January 1903 from the Upper Nautical School, Royal Hospital Schools, Greenwich, he was posted to sea as an Engine Room Artificer, 5th class, in 1906. Whilst serving in H.M.S. Lancaster in 1908, he was present during the international relief programme following the earthquake in Messina and was awarded the Messina Earthquake Medal. In early 1914 he transferred to the fledgling submarine service in which he was to serve throughout the war. He was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal ' for services in submarines in enemy waters' in 1917. On the completion of the First World War the now Chief Engine Room Artificer was loaned to the Royal Australian navy for service in H.M.A.S. J2, one of six 'J' class submarines acquired by Australia. In May 1922 he was awarded the Long Service and Good Conduct Medal and a Certificate as a Second Class Engineer by the New South Wales Department of Navigation. When the submarines were finally decommissioned, he was posted to H.M.A.S. Sydney (of Emden fame). Service in H.M.A.S. Brisbane followed until he reverted to the Royal Navy in 1924, where he served for a further three and a half years until he transferred to the Royal Australian Navy on 6 March 1926, again for services in submarines. The third generation of Australian submarines, H.M.A. Ships Oxley and Otway sailed for Australia in February 1928. Whilst serving in H.M.A.S. Oxley C.E.R.A. Maggs earned a Letter of Commendation from the Australian Commonwealth Naval Board for repairs to heavy damage to the engine room caused by heavy seas in the Bay of Biscay whilst on passage. Leaving the Royal Australian Navy on expiration of his engagement in 1930, he worked in various engineering positions in New South Wales. Re-entering the Royal Australian Navy on 19 July 1940 he served at sea in H.M.A.S. Goulburn which operated from Singapore until shortly before the city fell to the Japanese in early 1942. Other postings following until finally on 15 September 1944, a naval career spanning over four decades came to an end when C.E.R.A. Maggs retired from the Royal Australian Navy as physically unfit for naval service. His connection with the navy did not end, however, as he rejoined H.M.A. Naval Dockyard Garden Island, New South Wales, finally retiring on 22 March 1948.