Orders, Decorations & Medals - Australian Groups

Lot 2383    Session 8 (2.30pm Wednesday)    Orders, Decorations & Medals - Australian Groups

Estimate $13,000
Bid at live.noble.com.au
SOLD $11,000

GROUP OF NINE FOR GALLANTRY AND RAT OF TOBRUK: Military Cross (GRI); 1939-45 Star; Africa Star; Pacific Star; Defence Medal 1939-45; War Medal 1939-45 with MID; Australia Service Medal 1939-45; Efficiency Decoration (EIIR) - bar - Australia; Efficiency Medal (GVIR Indiae Imp) with Australia suspender. The year 1943 on reverse of lower arm of first medal, SX1017 on second to seventh medals, 1961 at bottom of reverse of eighth medal other details at top unsighted due to court mounting, SX1017 Capt. M.J.Brown. A.I.F. on last medal. First and eighth medals engraved, other medals impressed. Court mounted, extremely fine.

Together with matching ribbon bar; Rats of Tobruk Association collectors spoon by Stuart; photos. MC: LG 22/4/43, p1847, posn 5; CAG 1/4/43, p758, posn 22; Citation: Conspicuous gallantry and bravery Buna Aerodrome. Recommendation (Immediate) authorized by General T.A.Blamey: 'For conspicuous gallantry and bravery during the Buna Aerodrome Action, period 22/30 Dec.'42. On 24th Dec '42, on the death of Capt. A.H.Ifould Capt. M.J. Brown took over command of B Coy 2/10 Aust. Infantry Batn. In the next 3 days the Coy advanced 700 yards and captured several strongly held positions, mainly due to his leadership and unflinching bearing under extremely heavy fire. At 2000 hours on 27 Dec.'42 a strong enemy force counter attacked our newly won positions on the right flank on Buna Strip and forced the remnants of our force to withdraw. Capt. Brown immediately organized a counter attack and personally led the attack over open ground and under heavy fire. He was twice wounded at the outset but carried on and eventually restored the line, inflicting 40 casualties on the enemy. The success of the attack was mainly due to his coolness, determination and the inspiration of his outstanding personal courage. Not until the line was consolidated did Capt. Brown allow himself to be evacuated, very badly wounded.' MID: LG 28/5/43, p2374, posn 35; CAG 3/6/43, p1151, posn 16. Citation: Exceptional services in the field in S.W.P.Area. ED: CAG No 8, 26/1/61, p390 to 4/20993 Lt Col M J Brown MC, RA Corps Sigs. Bar to ED: CAG No 94, 7/10/71, p6301 to 420993 Brig M J Brown MC, Gen List (Nthn Cmd). EM: CAG 5/2/48 Appointed ADC: CAG 34/59, 11/6/59 - Lt Col M J Brown, MC, R Aust Sigs, ACMF, N Comd Sig Regt, appointed (Honorary) Aide-de-Campe to His Excellency the Governor-General of Australia, 21 Apr 1959. Brigadier Murray James Brown, junior draughtsman, born 02Jun1919 at Adelaide, South Australia; Enl.03Nov1939 at Woodside, SA and less than two weeks later was a Sergeant. He went to Officer Training Course Southern Command and on 21Jun1940 he was appointed Lieutenant. After additional training his unit 2/10 Bn was sent to the Middle East and North Africa taking part in the Siege of Tobruk. He returned to Australia in March 1942 before being sent to New Guinea. In August 1942 he was present at the Defence of Milne Bay and was wounded in action in the face and right foot. After treatment and recuperation he returned to his unit a month later and on 24 December 1942 he was promoted to Captain. Around this time Captain Brown was awarded an MID and also a Military Cross as detailed above. Following the MC action, his wounds were so serious that he was evacuated to Sydney. Brown's actions at Milne Bay and later at Buna Airfield are mentioned in the Australian Official History 'South West Pacific Area - First Year - Kokoda to Wau' by Dudley McCarthy on pages 167, 169, 469-471 and 473-474. It took Brown more than six months to recuperate from his wounds. In September 1943 he was made Staff Captain of 7th Training Brigade and later became an Intelligence Officer in Queensland before returning to his unit 2/10 Bn in March 1944. In November 1944 he was appointed adjutant of 2/10 Bn. In May 1945 his battalion took part in the capture of Balikpapan and he was still present there when the Japanese surrendered. Post war he resigned and studied to become a chartered accountant. In 1948 he joined the CMF. His career highlights in the CMF include; Promotion to Major, December 1950; Promotion to Lt Colonel, November 1953; Honorary Aide-de-Campe to the Governor-General of Australia, April 1959 - April 1960; Award of Efficiency Decoration, 1961; Promotion to Colonel, February 1961; Promotion to Brigadier, February 1962; Aide-de-Campe to Queen Elizabeth II, May 1969; Chief of Staff CMF Queensland, 31 December 1969; Award of bar to Efficiency Decoration, 1971. With research including photocopies of Brigadier Brown's complete service file.