Australian Singles

Lot 4593    Session 15 ( 7.30pm Thursday 20th November)    Australian Singles

Estimate $1,200
Bid at live.noble.com.au
SOLD $2,600

INDIA GENERAL SERVICE MEDAL 1908-35 (GVR KAISAR-I-HIND 1910-30 TYPE). Lieut. A.D.Molloy, Australian Staff Corps. Naming erased and chisel engraved (see note below). Very fine.

Ex The Naval and Military Club Collection, Artemis Auctions 21-22 July 2009 (lot 61).

This controversial medal is one of only 9 examples known to Australians. The medal was not approved for wear by Australia, and so may be only 4 or 5 in existence. The most known are to Nurses, but this example is unique for time and period, chisel engraved to Lieut A. D. Molloy Australian Staff Corps. There is a copy of 1936 Daily Orders listing him as entitled to the medal. This gives a RARE confirmation. Molloy later served in WWII, and post war became Commander of Tasmania District, Aide De Camp to the Queen, and Army representative in Washington. He donated his medal to the Melbourne Naval and Military Club in 1950 (as he was not permitted to wear it) and this was purchased from their closure auction in 2009.

Note: In Australians Awarded (vol 2) there is a write-up re the naming found on this medal. In all cases, they are renamed chisel engraved, all the same style, presumably done here in Australia in 1930s. There is no doubt it was his medal (donated in 1950) and correct for any seen.

Together with a paperwork and a chance to own a very rare medal to an Australian.