Australian Groups

Lot 2637    Session 9 (4.30pm Thursday)    Australian Groups

Estimate $8,000
Bid at live.noble.com.au

NEW ZEALAND, Group of Ten, Distinguished Service Order (GVIR), Officer of the Order of the British Empire, 1939-45 Star, Africa Star (8th Army). Italy Star, Defence Medal, British War Medal 1939-45 (MID), New Zealand War Service Medal, Efficiency Decoration (GVIR), Medal for Outstanding Acts with bar 1940 (Greece). Brigadier Benjamin Barrington ED engraved officially, OBE and last medal unnamed, others later impressed. Very fine.

DSO LG 26 June 1945: 'For most distinguished service and outstanding devotion to duty. Colonel Barrington has served in the field through almost every campaign of the 2nd New Zealand Division during the last five years. As a result of the great organising and administrative ability he displayed he became AA and QMG of the division in 1942 and held that appointment (the highest administrative position in the field in 2 NZEF) for the next two years. At all times during his five years service Colonel Barrington has shown the greatest resolution and coolness in grave situations. Instances have been many, especially during the difficult earlier campaigns e.g. during the last days of the evacuation from Greece where he was Staff Captain of the last brigade to leave (6 NZ Bde) at Sidi Rezagh in 1941 and during the difficult battles to stabilize the line at Alamein. This coolness in action and in face of difficulties stood Colonel Barrington in good stead again in the Italian campaign. At Cassino when the NZ Corps was formed temporarily, Colonel Barrington, without a Corps administrative staff, organised the administration of three divisions in a most efficient manner despite the many problems with which he was confronted. In the Cassino battles, at Florence and in the operations to break the Gothic line, Colonel Barrington maintained the same high standard of the administrative services. By regular visits to the forward units often under fire, he saw for himself and dealt with problems with a first hand knowledge of what was required. Always cheerful, always efficient whatever the situation, Colonel Barrington was an inspiration to superiors and subordinates alike.' Colonel Commandant RNZEME 1949. Together with some research, copy of NZMF History Sheet, which confirms all medals and obituary. All medals in fitted wooden presentation box with studio portrait of recipient in miliary uniform affixed inside lid. Born Marton, New Zealand October 2, 1901 and died October 17, 1954.