Orders, Decorations & Medals - Australian Groups

Lot 4315    Session 13 (2.30pm Thur 25 Nov)    Orders, Decorations & Medals - Australian Groups

Estimate $550,000
Bid at live.noble.com.au
SOLD $525,000

GROUP OF SIX: Victoria Cross; 1914-15 Star; British War Medal 1914-18; Victory Medal 1914-19; King George VI 1937 Coronation Medal; Queen Elizabeth II 1953 Coronation Medal. On reverse of bar of VC, 1936 Driver H.Dalziel 15th Bn Aus.Imp.Force, in centre of VC, 4 July 1918, 1936 Pte H.Dalziel 15/Bn. A.I.F. on second medal, 1936 L/Cpl H.Dalziel 15/Bn. A.I.F. on third medal, 1936 L-Cpl. H.Dalziel. 15-Bn. A.I.F. on fourth medal, last two medals unnamed. First medal engraved, the other named medals impressed. Lovingly polished and worn by Henry, swing mounted, fine - very fine.

Together with the following items; 1. All Tivoli Theatres Life Pass in 15ct gold (32mm x 32mm) VC shape with central shield, Imperial crown above, scroll below, reverse engraved 'For Valour / An Appreciation / By / The Hon. Hugh D. McIntosh / M.L.C / Driver. H.Dalziel / V.C.', in cartouche at base, maker's name `W.Kerr' and beside, 15ct, ring at top removed and horizontal brooch pin fitted and at bottom right corner a loop has been fitted and to this is added a safety chain. 2. Khaki handkerchief (46cm x 44.5cm) with almost the entire surface covered in ink written autographs of soldiers, mostly with home addresses, some with service number or unit. 3. City of Townsville Tribute Book with hand painted cover by Charlotte Cameron showing a soldier wearing a VC and with the tribute, 'Presented to / Driver Henry Dalziel. V.C. /from the Citizens of / Townsville / as a memento and esteem for the / deeds of heroism in their service for / Australia's posterity and our Empire / 28th April 1919.' The cover also bears the impressed seal of the City of Townsville and is signed personally by the Mayor and the Town Clerk, inside signatures of Townsville residents, companies and their staffs, also noted signature of Henry Dalziel VC and on a later page is written, 'Harry's Dr 1914-1918-1951, Dr Warren R. Rainey, University Club Buildings, Saint Louis, M.O., operation. Successfully. Dr who operated on H. Dalziel V.C. at the time he won his V.C.' 4. Selection of laminated photos with groups of other VC recipients and one with Henry meeting the Queen Mother. 5. Programme for Westminister Abbey, Service of Thanksgiving on the occasion of the Centenary of the institution of the Victoria Cross, Monday, June 25th, 1956. 6. Invitations, all laminated, from, A) H M Govt for Centenary of the institution of the VC, 25 & 26 June 1956. B) The Premier of Queensland for a Garden Party at Parliament House, Brisbane 16 August 1960. C) Master of the Household to Afternoon Party to be given by Queen & Duke of Edinburgh 17 July 1962. D) The Premier of Queensland to witness berthing of H.M.Y. Britannia and welcome the Queen & Duke of Edinburgh 6 March 1963. E) The Premier of Queensland to Citizen's Welcome for Queen Elizabeth & Duke of Edinburgh 6 March 1963. F) Invitation from Directors of The E Winter Garden Theatre, Brisbane, to premiere of "Zulu", 9 Sept 1964. G) Australian War Memorial to official opening of 'V.C. Corner' on 12 November 1964. H) Directors of Twentieth Century Fox & Hoyts Theatres to preview presentation of "The Longest Day", St James Theatre, Albert St, May 9th. 7. Newspaper clippings and research. 8. Photocopy of a personal letter from Princess Elizabeth, later Queen Elizabeth II, dated 1949 in which she expresses her great appreciation to Henry Dalziel for his gift of the VC forwarded on 1/11/48 on behalf of her son but graciously returns it to him. In the letter she makes reference to `the Victoria Cross which you won on American Independence Day 1918'. 9. Documents for Henry Dalziel as follows, A) Birth Certificate No 109818, 1893. B) AIF Certificate of Discharge No 63184, 16/6/1919. C) Certificate of Discharge No 109 14/6/1920 from Australian Air Corps. D) AMF, 11 Mxd Bde, Certificate for Course of Instruction for Infantry at Enoggera named to 411333 L/Sgt H.Dalziel, V.C., 9th/49th Bn, 8/10/1936. E) Statement of Service No 613 dated 15/4/46 for CMF service 14/6/1940 - 24/12/1943. 10. Copies of letters and envelopes and one postcard written by Henry Dalziel to family members at home during his trip and visit to England for the VC centenary celebrations in 1956. Also included is a menu from the ship he sailed on, SS Arcadia, dated 31/5/1956. 11. Matching set of contemporary miniatures swing mounted as worn by Henry. 12. A typed copy of a personal account of his actions at the Battle of Hamel entitled 'My VC' written by Sgt Henry Dalziel V.C., 29 Aust Inf Trg Bn, 6 November 1942. VC LG 17/8/19, p 9660, posn 2; CAG 12/12/1918, p 2348, posn 16, MO 601/1918 Citation: 'For most conspicuous bravery and devotion to duty when in action with a Lewis gun section. His company met with determined resistance from a strong point which was strongly garrisoned, manned by numerous machine-guns and, undamaged by our artillery fire, was also protected by strong wire entanglements. A heavy concentration of machine-gun fire caused many casualties, and held up our advance. His Lewis gun having come into action and silenced enemy guns in one direction, an enemy gun opened fire from another direction. Private Dalziel dashed at it and with his revolver, killed or captured the entire crew and gun, and allowed our advance to continue. He was severely wounded in the hand, but carried on and took part in the capture of the final objective. He twice went over open ground under heavy enemy artillery and machine-gun fire to secure ammunition, and though suffering from considerable loss of blood, he filled magazines and served his gun until severely wounded through the head. His magnificent bravery and devotion to duty was an inspiring example to all his comrades and his dash and unselfish courage at a critical time undoubtedly saved many lives and turned what would have been a serious check into a splendid success.' Henry 'Harry' Dalziel was born on 18 February 1893 at a miner's camp called Ragged Camp at Ragged Creek near Irvinebank, Far North Queensland. His father, James Dalziel, was a miner and his mother was Eliza Maggie (n?e McMillan), both native born Australians. While a young boy, Henry and his brother Victor are credited with the discovery of tin samples which led to the establishment of the Boulder Mine near Emuford. The mine was one of the largest in the region and remained operational until the 1960s. After leaving school at Irvinebank he joined the Queensland Government Railways working as an apprentice fireman on the Atherton to Cairns run. Within the first six months of the war, Henry elected to join up on 16 January 1915 and was attested into the AIF at Cairns on 11 February 1915 at the age of 21 years 8 months. His unit was the 15th Battalion - 1 to 23 Reinforcements. He embarked from Brisbane aboard HMAT Kyarra on 16 April 1915 and joined his unit at Gallipoli in July serving in the Battle of Sari Bair in August. Not long after he was invalided out with enteric fever. After recovery, the Gallipoli campaign was over for him so he continued training with his unit in Egypt until 31 May 1916 when it sailed for France as part of the 4th Infantry Brigade of the new 4th Division AIF, stationed for a short time near Armentieres. In August the 4th Division relieved the 2nd Division on the Pozieres Heights where they repelled a major German counter attack. The Division then saw action at Mouquet Farm twice before fighting at Flers in September. In 1917 the Division was kept busy fighting in April at Gueudecourt, Lagincourt and Bullecourt and in June at Messines. Then it engaged in the Battle of Polygon Wood in October where, on the 16th, Henry was wounded by shrapnel. From January to March 1918 there was a let up in the intensity of fighting however in the second half of March the Germans launched a major offensive across the Western Front. In May of 1918 the 4th Division was joined by four other Australian Divisions to form the Australian Corps. On 7 June Henry resumed duty, first as a driver then as a gunner. In July a number of Americans joined alongside the Australians and for the first time they were to go into battle at Hamel side-by-side and co-incidentally on American Independence Day, 4 July. It was on this day, 4 July 1918, American Independence Day, at Hamel Wood east of Corbie that Private Henry Dalziel was to be awarded the Commonwealth's highest award for gallantry, with his award being the 1,000th made. His unit had been tasked with capturing a heavily fortified position known as Pear Trench at Hamel Wood. When heavy artillery fire proved ineffective against the position and tanks failed to arrive, it fell to the infantry to capture the position. Some men managed to get through the wire but many were wounded and the Lewis Gunners, one of whom was Henry Dalziel, were directed to fire from the hip over the tall crops so as to try and keep the German machine gunners down and give some respite to the men under fire. This tactic was successful in silencing two German machine guns at which point the men rushed forward only to be held up by another machine gun on their flank. At this point Henry gave his Lewis Gun to his mate and drawing the two revolvers, which he is known to have worn unofficially, he single-handedly charged down the machine gun position shooting and killing seven Germans and killing a German bloodhound using a captured German dagger he carried in his waist belt. His magnificent dash and daring thus turning what could have been a stalling of his unit's advance into a magnificent success. During this action Henry was severly wounded in the hand by the German bloodhound he killed with his dagger. In Henry's personal recollection of this action he states, 'In action with a Lewis Gun section, 4th July 1918, was myself, Driver Henry Dalziel. We were harrassed by murderous fire from a nearby enemy stronghold, the Australian advance was held up. My gun had cleaned up one nest, but another planted in a different direction opened fire. I dashed at it killing seven Germans with my two revolvers. One German bloodhound wounded me in the hand, but I soon had him on the ground. I lunged at him with my German dagger, catching him right over the heart. His dying cry upset me and I shivered. At Pear Trench. The Australians pushed on. Blood was pouring from my wounded hand but I advanced with the others. We passed Pear Trench which had only 23 machine guns and coming to a deep down cement dugout which held half a company of German men. Our No 1 gunner held his Lewis Gun on his hip and fired down the steps of the cement dugout. The poor Huns came up with their hands above their heads calling "Merci Comrade". They were handing out watches of different makes, gold and silver leaf wrist watches of beautiful designs. I felt like a war lord with my two revolvers pointed at them and my dagger in my belt. We sent them off with their beautiful watches to the "moppers up".' Because of his severely wounded hand Henry had been ordered to the rear and although seeming to obey he in fact continued in the thick of things until Pear Trench was taken. When he was discovered he was again ordered back to seek medical aid but instead began retrieving boxes of ammunition which had been dropped by parachute onto open ground and virtually inaccessible due to enemy fire. Ignoring the bullets he started to bring in ammunition cases one at a time. Unfortunately as he attempted to retrieve a case he was shot in the head. With his skull smashed and his brain exposed it seemed to the men around that his death was inevitable such was the severity of his injuries. However, Henry's fighting spirit showed through and after skilful surgery in France and hospitalisation in England he recovered. On 13 December 1918 Henry was taken to Buckingham Palace where King George V invested him with the Victoria Cross. He was finally declared fit to return to Australia on 5 January 1919. While travelling by train to his hometown he received a hero's welcome at every station from Townsville to Atherton. Still suffering from his shocking injury, he continued his recuperation while staying with his cousin, Mrs George Fish. He was discharged as medically unfit at Brisbane on 16 June 1919 at age 26 with GSW to head and back and wound to left arm. During his time in Brisbane he met Ida Maude Ramsay, a Brisbane nurse who had served with the 17th Australian General Hospital and on 8 April 1920 at the Congregational manse South Brisbane they married. A short time later Henry enlisted again, this time being attested to the Australian Air Corps Regiment on 17/5/1920 aged 27 years. After serving for 29 days he was discharged at his own request on 14/6/1920 at North Fitzroy. As a result of his wounds Henry was no longer suitable as a loco fireman so he found work in a number of occupations. Initially he and his wife took up a soldier settlement block however, small mixed farming was not suitable for Henry so he sought employment further afield leaving Ida to run the farm. Life was tough during the ensuing years and Henry was forced to travel far seeking employment. At one point he and his brother were gold mining in Bathurst, NSW when Ida became seriously ill and he had to return to Queensland. He also worked as a telegraph linesman and office cleaner. By the early 1930s Henry was separated from Ida and moved to Brisbane where he joined the 9th/15th Battalion as a member of the CMF and in 1933 he became the first VC recipient to be a member of the Guard of Honour being part of the King's Colour escort at the opening of the Queensland Parliament and for many years he was the flag bearer for the 15th Battalion in the Anzac Day March. During one of his visits to hospital, Henry once again met a nurse he took a liking to and on 15 December 1935 he married for the second time to Elsie Kanowski a nurse from Toowoomba. In 1938 he travelled to Sydney where he marched with a group of Boer War and WWI VC recipients. By now Henry was a prolific song writer and had many copyrighted. One of his favourite songs, 'A Song of the Tableland' was released in the United Kingdom and U.S.A. He also turned his hand to pottery, art and poetry. When WWII started he once again heard his country's call enlisting at Brisbane on 14 June 1940. His duties included speaking at recruitment drives and fund raising appeals as well as visiting training camps to speak with troops in training. He was discharged on 24 December 1943 as Sergeant, 11 Training Battalion. In 1956 he travelled to England for the Victoria Cross Centenary Celebrations and then returned to Hamel in France laying a wreath at the Cenotaph on 4 July 1956, American Independence Day. In September 1956 Henry officially opened YMCA Camp Warrawee with the dedication by the Anglican Archbishop of Brisbane, Dr Halse. Henry Dalziel VC passed away, aged 72 years, at the Greenslopes Private Hospital on July 24, 1965 after suffering a stroke. His funeral service was conducted at St John's Cathedral by Dean Baddeley, the Dean of Brisbane, and the panegyrie was given by Senior Chaplain T.S.S. Brown-Beresford. Following the service six pall bearers from the 6th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment, carried the coffin from the cathedral to a gun carriage. The procession to the Mt Thompson Crematorium was led by three Army motor cyclists, an officer and twenty men and a firing party. Insignia bearer Sergeant E.A. Taylor carried the Victoria Cross group of six medals on a red velvet cushion behind the gun carriage. The procession passed the Shrine of Remembrance and turned into Edward and Turbot Streets. Among the mourners were representatives for the Premier, Mr Nicklin, the General Officer Commanding Northern Command and members of the Repatriation Department. Flags at the GPO were flown at half mast. There is a memorial plaque for Henry on Wall 12, Section 16, No 106 at Mt Thompson Crematorium. Curiously, a resident of Nundah claimed that the sign of a street named in Henry's honour began to lean at the time when he was failing in Greenslopes Repatriation Hospital and that at about the time of Henry's funeral it fell down such that it looked like a cross. Tributes to Henry Dalziel VC, 1. Dalziel Street in Nundah, an inner suburb of Brisbane, was named after him in about 1948. Previously known as Maud Street it was named after him when the City Council renamed many streets in the area. At the time Henry lived at Oxley. 2. Henry Dalziel Oval at Irvinebank, North Queensland is named in his honour. 3. There is a memorial to Henry at Loudon House Museum at Irvinebank. 4. The Henry Dalziel VC Dialysis Centre, Greenslopes Private Hospital, Greenslopes, Queensland opened and named in his honour on 28 August 2003 by the Hon Danna Vale MP, Minister for Veteran's Affairs and Minister Assisting the Minister for Defence. She commended Baxter Healthcare and Greenslopes Private Hospital on creating a unit that would meet the medical needs of Queensland's veterans and service the wider Queensland residents. Further she said, `The Henry Dalziel VC Dialysis Centre recognizes one of Australia's wartime heroes, a Queenslander who was decorated with the Commonwealth's highest award for valour in the face of the enemy - the Victoria Cross. Henry Dalziel enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force in January 1915 and was serving at Gallipoli by July of that year and he was there with his mates of the 15th Battalion. After serving in the battles on the peninsula, he was evacuated with his unit and sent to the Western Front, where he served on the Somme, at Pozieres and Mouquet Farm. But it is for his actions in the Battle of Hamel in July 1918 that he was awarded the Victoria Cross.... The brave actions of Henry Dalziel are typical of the Australian spirit that burned brightly in World War I. It helped us to define ourselves as a nation. It gave us values and traditions that today echo and shine in the present generation of Australian servicemen and women. His bravery in the face of the enemy and his refusal to leave his mates despite being wounded are the actions that make his story so special. He was a true Anzac. He never gave up and he always looked after his mates.' 5. The bar at the Atherton Returned Servicemen's Club with a display wall of photographs and medals featuring Private Henry `Harry' Dalziel VC is called The Harry Dalziel VC Memorial Bar and in a nearby park is a mounted WWI artillery piece which stands as a memorial to Private Harry Dalziel VC. 6. The officers' club at the Enoggera (Brisbane) Army barracks is named 'The Henry Dalziel VC Club'. 7. The Army barracks at Enoggera (Brisbane) and Singleton (NSW) both have roads named in his honour.