Orders, Decorations & Medals - Australian Groups

Lot 3336    SESSION 15 (7.30PM THURSDAY 25TH NOV)    Orders, Decorations & Medals - Australian Groups

Estimate $2,500
Bid at live.noble.com.au
SOLD $5,000

GROUP OF FIVE: China War Medal 1900; 1914-15 Star; British War Medal 1914-18; Victory Medal 1914-19; Royal Naval Reserve Decoration (GVR), reverse hallmarked for London 1916 by maker 'SG' (Garrard & Co Ltd). Sub.Lieut. O.W.Gillam, N.S.Wales Nav. Contgt. on first medal, O.W.Gillam. Lieut. on second medal, Lieut. O.W.Gillam. R.A.N.B. on third medal, fourth and fifth medals unnamed. The named medals impressed. Stored in a leather, hinged-lid display carry case (approx 45x29x5cm) with internal padding, very fine - extremely fine.

Together with naval officer's bullion hat badge (KC) with hat band; N.S.W. Naval Brigade buttons in gilt (QVC) (6, two large, two medium and two small); Royal Australian Navy buttons in gilt (KC) (2, one large, one medium).

RANR: Appt'd Sub-Lieut 06Jul1907; to Lieut 01Apr1913; WWI: Appt'd Lieut Naval Expeditionary Forces 19Aug1914; to Retired List 30Jun1920 and promoted to Lieut. Cmdr 01Apr1921; name removed from Navy List Jul1948.

A report of the death of Oscar Gillam was published in The Newcastle Sun (NSW) on Thursday 6 July 1950. It reads as follows.

Mr. Oscar Gillam Dies: Well known in shipping, colliery and insurance circles in Newcastle, Mr. Oscar Gillam, of Gillam and Co. Pty. Ltd., died today after a long illness. The late Mr. Gillam was born in Newcastle 74 years ago and took an active interest in his company until five years ago, when illness compelled him to give up his duties. For the past three years he had been in hospital.

The death of Mr. Gillam removes one of the few surviving members of the N.S.W. Naval Brigade contingent to the Boxer Rebellion (China), 1900-1901. Rear Admiral Sir Leighton Bracegirdle was another member. For his services he received the rank of honorary member of the Military Order of the Dragon.

Mr. Gillam served with the Royal Australian Navy in New Guinea and was present at the occupation of Rabaul in 1914 and during its occupancy was harbor master there. In 1921 he was placed on the reserve list of the Royal Australian Navy after attaining the rank of lieutenant commander. At this stage he took charge of Gillam and Co., which had been formed by his father some years before. The firm had extensive shipping interests which were later disposed of. At the present time six collieries are owned by the firm.

The late Mr. Gillam was one of the oldest members of Lodge St. George. He belonged to the United Service Club and was for some years on the insurance committee of the Newcastle Chamber of Commerce.

With copy of Service File (4 small pages).