Orders, Decorations & Medals - Australian Groups

Lot 2415    SESSION 14 (2.30PM THURSDAY 28TH NOVEMBER)    Orders, Decorations & Medals - Australian Groups

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

DCM GROUP OF FOUR TO WIA: Distinguished Conduct Medal (GVR type 1); 1914-15 Star; British War Medal 1914-18; Victory Medal 1914-19. 791 C.S.Mjr W.E.Rankin. 24/Aust:Inf. on first medal, other medals unnamed. Swing mounted, contact marks, otherwise very fine.

Together with a matching set of miniatures except the DCM is an Edward VII type.
DCM: LG 11/3/1920, p3132; CAG 30/6/1920, p829 to 791 Company Sergeant Major William Edward Rankin, 24 Aust Infy Bn.
Recommendation: This Warrant Officer has been (in) continuous service for the past four years. During the past six months he has fought in every action in which the Battalion has participated. C.S.M. Rankin's bravery and splendid leadership on 5th October 1918 at Montbrehain is worthy of special mention. Soon after the attack had been launched "A" Coy lost all, save one Officer as casualties. Rankin's was on the extreme right flank of the Company with a party of six men, he charged an enemy Machine gun post in the Cemetery, and the effort resulted in the wiping out of the crew of five Huns. This small party was then subjected to heavy machine gun, and artillery fire. Rankin recognised the seriousness of the situation as there was a gap of six hundred yards between his party and the adjoining Company. He manoeuvred his men back singly to a position which he had reconnoitred, and then set out to gain touch with the flank of the next Company of the flank Battalion. This reconnaissance brought him under constant enemy machine gun fire. Rankin found the flank Coy. and then arranged a mutual post, surrounded by small supporting posts in the gap. This successfully cleared up a dangerous position and allowed the reorganisation of the line to meet hostile counter attacks. C.S.M. Rankin has always been a powerful leader his firm yet fair treatment to all men of the Company has undoubtedly aided the success of all operations in which the Unit has participated.
William Edward Rankin, basket maker, age 34, born at Annandale, Sydney, NSW; Enl.11Aug1914 at Sydney, NSW in 7 Coy Expeditionary Force (Service No 761) (ANM&EF); Disch.04Mar1915 (awarded 1914-15 Star); Re-Enl.29Mar1915 at Melbourne, Vic, in 24Bn; to Sgt 28Apr1915; Emb.08May1915 and to France; to CSM 17Mar1916; WIA 27-31Jul1916, GSW right leg, France; to hospital in England 07Aug1916 with shell shock; TOS 67Bn from 24Bn 02May1917; to France 04Jun1917; TOS 24Bn 10Jun1917; WIA 04Oct1917 shrapnel wound to face; injured accidentally 10Apr1918, sprained ankle, France and to hospital in England; to France 22Aug1918 and rejoined Bn 01Sep1918; RTA 08Apr1919; Disch.01Nov1919 Medically Unfit; Died at Marrickville, Sydney, NSW 27Nov1967.