Other Properties - Aust. Groups

Lot 3299    SESSION 12 (11.30AM THURSDAY 1ST AUGUST)    Other Properties - Aust. Groups

Estimate $5,000
Bid at live.noble.com.au
SOLD $7,000

MC FOR EL ALAMEIN GROUP OF EIGHT: Military Cross (GRI); 1939-45 Star; Africa Star, - clasp - 8th Army; Pacific Star; Defence Medal 1939-45; War Medal 1939-45; Australia Service Medal 1939-45; Efficiency Decoration (EIIR). 1942 on reverse lower arm of first medal, second to fourth medals unnamed, VX14442 G.Stewart on fifth to seventh medals, Lt. Col. G.Stewart C.M.F. on last medal. The first and last medals engraved, the other named medals impressed. Display mounted, very fine - good very fine.

Ex Noble Numismatics Sale 106 (lot 4017).

MC: LG 24/9/1942, p4155 - to Lt Gordon Stewart for great coolness, courage, enterprise & skill 21/7/42.

Presented by The Governor-General at Government House, Melbourne on 30Nov1945.

Citation: On July 22, 1942, during the operations of an Australian Infantry Brigade, Lieutenant Stewart was acting as Forward Observation Officer with an Australian Infantry Battalion. He showed great coolness and courage under fire. By his enterprise and skill he was continuously in a position to support the Battalion. Several times during the day he engaged armoured fighting vehicles which threatened our troops and on two occasions broke up potential counter attacks. His disregard for his own safety and the dash he showed throughout the attack contributed in no small measure to the successful artillery support of this operation.

The Military Cross was awarded to Lt Stewart during a brigade attack along the Qattara Road during the First Battle of El Alamein 1-27 July 1942 where he was one of three FOOs (Forward Observation Officers).

ED: CAG No.47 29/8/1957, p1907 to 3/114012 Lt. Col. Gordon Stewart M.C., R.Aust Aty (Fld-Branch).

Gordon Stewart, age 24, library assistant, born at Armadale, Victoria; Enl.28Feb1934 in Militia as 442291 Gnr 2 Med Bde RAA; Bdr 01Jul1935; L/Sgt 10May1937; Sgt 01Sep1939; Disch.31May1940; AIF Enl.07May1940 at Caulfield, Victoria; Lieutenant 05Oct1940; T/Captain 12Feb1941; Emb.27Dec1940 for Middle East; 22Nov1941 AIF (ME) School of Artillery; 08Oct1942 MC; RTA 28Feb1943; Emb.31Jul1943 for Pacific campaign; Captain 12Feb1944; 08Mar1945 to RAAF School of Army Co-op Cse; Emb.06May1945 for New Guinea and British North Borneo; RTA 15Oct1945; Disch.08Nov1945 ex 2/12 Fd Regt; 09Nov1945 to Reserve of Officers; 1950-52 2 Battery Commander (Major) P Battery 10 Fd Regt; 1955-58(?) CO (Lt-Col) 10 Fed Regt; Died 22Aug1981.

Gordon Stewart was given the nickname of 'Black Sam', also 'Sam' by the members of his unit because in Africa as a young man he had black hair and darkish skin. They regarded him as a tough, cool character. In the Battle of El Alamein, there was a series of attacks mounted along the whole Ninth Division front. 'Sam' Stewart was FOO (Forward Observation Officer) for the 2/32 Battalion whose objective was to capture Trig 22 on Makh Ridge, better known to the unit as Cairn Ridge. The whole division had suffered heavy casualties during the July battles and this day, July 22, was referred to as 'That desperate day'. Lance-Bombardier George Steele, FOO assistant to Lieutenant Stewart stated, 'I was 'ack' to many good FOOs but Sam Stewart was as good as any I ever saw. He would go anywhere and, the rougher it was, the more he appeared to enjoy it. We were together a lot, his devil-may-care attitude scared the daylights out of me but I had a great affection and respect for him.' Gordon 'Sam' Stewart's life came to a horrendous end in the early hours of 22 August 1981 when he was murdered in his Nepean Highway home at Mentone, Victoria by a young man in his twenties wielding an axe.

With research including copy of Gazette and Service File.