Orders, Decorations & Medals - Australian Groups

Lot 1110    Session 5 (2:30pm Tuesday 26th July)    Orders, Decorations & Medals - Australian Groups

Estimate $20,000
Bid at live.noble.com.au
SOLD $16,000

GROUP OF FIVE TO DECORATED OFFICER KIA: Distinguished Service Order (GVR); Military Cross (GRI); 1914-15 Star; British War Medal 1914-18; Victory Medal 1914-19 with MID. First two medals unnamed, 1137 Pte L.G.P. Errey. 8 Bn. A.I.F. on third medal, Lieut. L.G.P.Errey. A.I.F. on last two medals. All named medals impressed. Display court mounted, extremely fine.

DSO: LG 27/10/1917, p11108, posn2; CAG 14/2/1918, p285, posn 9.

(Recommended for Victoria Cross): For conspicuous gallantry, during the attack on Polygon Wood on the 20th September 1917, after the third objective had been gained, the consolidation was greatly interfered with by heavy Machine Gun fire from an enemy Strong Point which caused many casualties and was beginning to disorganise our lines. Lieut. Errey with four men, in the face of very heavy M.G. fire rushed through our own barrage and attacked and captured the Strong Point together with 5 Officers, 60 Other Ranks and 2 Machine Guns. This officer's most conspicuous bravery, determination and prompt action undoubtedly saved many lives and altered the situation at a critical moment enabling the line to be firmly established. (Awarded DSO).

MC: LG 18/7/1917, p7253, posn8; CAG 8/11/1917, p2939, posn 12.

Recommendation: During the operations in front of Quaent and Pronville, 19 April 1917, 2/Lieut. Errey's work was of an extremely courageous and useful nature. His duties included the patrolling of No Man's Land in front of his Company sector. In this he showed the greatest courage and initiative. He went through the enemy's wire and gained valuable information at great personal risk. On the night of 10th April 1917 he encountered an enemy patrol of 36 strong. His party was only 8 strong and the enemy endeavoured to surround him. Notwithstanding this he gave them fight, and succeeded in driving them off with bombs and rifle fire. He handled his men with great skill and got back without casualty, the enemy leaving 4 dead on the field. Lieut. Errey is a young officer who has been with the Battalion since shortly after its inception and is a splendid leader and absolutely fearless.

MID: LG 28/12/1917, p13566, posn4; CAG 18/4/1918, p843, posn79.

Mentioned in Sir Douglas Haig's despatches 7/11/17 for distinguished and Gallant service and devotion to duty In the Field during the period 26/2/17 - 20/9/17.

Leonard George Prentice Errey, carpenter, age 22, born at Camperdown, Vic; he was a member of a family famous in the field of horticulture, the business having been started by his father, not long after arriving from England in 1857, under the name W.H.Errey & Sons and later Errey Bros, being famous in the world of horticulture, at different times, for carnations, gladioli and irises; Enl.16Aug1914 at Camperdown, previous service with Camperdown Rifle Club; Emb.22Dec1914 and to Gallipoli with the Landing on 25April1915 as part of the second wave of troops; was also at the 2nd Battle for Krithia on 08May1915; apptd L/Cpl at Anzac 08Dec1915; T/Cpl 23Feb1916; to School of Instruction at Zeitoun 03Mar1916; to Sgt 08Jul1916; to 2 Lieutenant 'In the Field' 13Sep1916; awarded MC 17May1917; to Lieutenant 28May1917; WIA 04Oct1917, wounded by a fragment of a shell to his left shoulder shortly after the advance started; DOW same day at 1st Anzac Central Bureau; buried Menin Road South Military Cemetery, Ypres, Belgium; awarded DSO for action 20Sep1917; Special mention in despatches 07Nov1917.

In the book, Off to the Western Front, chapter 8 recounts that the 1st, 2nd and 3rd Australian Divisions together with a New Zealand Division were in the centre of an attacking line of 12 Divisions to capture the high ground at Broodseinde Ridge. Field Marshall Sir Douglas Haig was determined to capture the objective from enemy hands at almost any price. On the eve of the attack (3rd October) the Intelligence Officer, Lieutenant Len Errey DSO, MC, and his men laid out the white marker tape on the ground. All the officers and NCOs were taken over the first part of the marked route to ensure they were well prepared for the impending attack. All men were ready and waiting for the designated time of attack which was 6am. Unfortunately the Germans started shelling at the rear trenches at 5.30am. The men in forward positions had to remain silent so as not to alert the enemy of the impending attack but in the meantime the shelling took a heavy toll and one of those wounded and who subsequently died was the Intelligence Officer, Lieutenant Errey.


Lieutenant L.G.P.Errey's brother, Edwin B.Errey, was mortally wounded at Mont St Quentin about 01Sep1918. Both brothers' names are recorded on the Camperdown Presbyterian Church Honour Roll as well as at the Australian War Memorial, Canberra.

With full service file and numerous other research.