Orders, Decorations & Medals - Australian Groups

Lot 4420    SESSION 18 (11.30AM FRIDAY 1ST AUGUST)    Orders, Decorations & Medals - Australian Groups

Estimate $10,000
Bid at live.noble.com.au

TRIO: 1914-15 Star; British War Medal 1914-18; Victory Medal 1914-19. 26 Dvr. W.D.Oliver. 3/ L.H. Bde. HQ. A.I.F. on first medal, Lieut. W.D.Oliver. A.I.F. on second and third medals. All medals impressed. Very fine.

Ex Noble Numismatics Sale 85 (lot 5358).
William Donald Oliver, age 33, station overseer, born South Yarra (Vic); Enl.12Nov1914 as L/Cpl; Emb.25Feb1915 with 3LH Bde HQs for Gallipoli per A16 Star of Victoria; promoted to 2nd Lieut, 07Aug1915; transferred to 8th LHR from Bde HQ; promoted to Lieut, 14Sep1915; to hospital 25Oct1915 with dysentery; RTA 15Nov1915 for 3mths change; Re-Emb.11Jul1916 with 19/8th LHR per RMS Mongolia; TOS 3LHTR 12Aug1916; to be Troop Officer 3LHTR 03Sep1916; Trf to 8LHR 24Feb1917; 31Aug1917 General Court Marshall at Kasr-rl-Nil Barracks Cairo. "When on active service absenting himself without leave from 10p.m on 21.8.17 until 7.15p.m on 22.8.17 (2) drunkeness 22.8.17. Sentenced to take precedence in the 8th L.H and in the Army as if his appointment bore date of 31.8.17 and to be severely reprimanded. Lt.Col.B. B. Blennerhassett 1st. (1/n) Batt. King's Liverpool Regt. President. Confirmed by G.O.C D. & W.F"; 1.9.17; RTA.23Oct1917; Appt Terminated 21Dec1917. The Nek (Lt.W.D. Oliver) see C.E.W. Bean, Official History of Australia in the War of 1914-18, Volume II. The story of ANZAC page 616 (347) "The evidence of the Brigade Signalling Officer Lieut W.D. Oliver (of Melbourne) whose duty was to watch for the flags is definite. He saw a man of fine physique whom he believed to be Sgt Roger Palmer (of Winchelsea, Vic) drop into enemy trench and immediately afterwards the flag was waved". The attack at the Nek, by the 3rd Australian Light Horse Brigade on 7th August 1915, where four waves of these troopers were cut down by enemy rifle and machine gun fire was one of the great tragedies at Gallipoli.