Orders, Decorations & Medals - Australian Groups

Lot 3773    Session 13 (2.30pm Thu 27th March)    Orders, Decorations & Medals - Australian Groups

Estimate $6,000
Bid at live.noble.com.au
SOLD $7,000

GROUP OF SIX: Military Cross (GRI); British War Medal 1914-18; Victory Medal 1914-19; Commonwealth of Australia Long Service and Good Conduct Medal (EVIIR); Meritorious Service Medal (GVR swivelling suspender); Victoria Volunteer Long and Efficient Service Medal. Lieut. A.Mc.G.Collie No.2 Section 3rd Div. Ammn. Column A.I.F. Polygon Wood Sept 25th 1917 on first medal, Capt. A.Mc.G.Collie 3rd Div.Art. A.I.F. on second medal, Captain A.MC G Collie A.I.F. on third medal, Warrant Officer A.Mc.G.Collie, Military Staff Clerk on fourth medal, W.O (1) A.Mc.G.Collie Corps of Mil Staff Clerks on fifth medal, Regtl.Q.M.Sergt. Alexander Mc. Gregor Collie, Military Staff Clerk on last medal. The first two medals engraved, the rest impressed. Court mounted, nicely toned, extremely fine.

Normally the British War Medal is impressed however, the military record papers for Collie show that the medal issued to him was 'Inscribed' in England and received by him from AIF Headquarters, London on 25May1920.

MC: LG 27/10/1917, p11110, posn14; CAG 14/2/1918, p285, posn 30.

Recommendation: For conspicuous courage and devotion to duty. On the morning of 25th September 1917, Lieut. Collie was leading a convoy of pack mules up the Hooge Road when a large ammunition dump near Hooge caught fire, effectually stopping all traffic. By making a hazardous detour, however, he passed the place and took his ammunition to within about 1000 yards of the front line. Although his horse had been blown from under him and he himself badly shaken, he returned to Hooge for another supply. After suffering several casualties in men and animals he was forced to desist. In the evening an urgent message from the 15th Australian Infantry Brigade stated that all dumps in their area had been blown up. Transport was turned out and Lieut. Collie again led them. He got through to the Brigade dump, returned twice to Hooge, loaded up again, and carried the ammunition forward.

On the evening of 27th September, in leading a similar party forward from Hooge, nine men and a good many mules became casualties on the first trip. Despite this, Lieut. Collie and his men returned to Hooge for a second supply which they took to the Brigade dump.

His courage, energy and devotion to duty are deserving of special recognition.

C of A MSM: CAG 53 16/6/1921, p972 to WO ClI A.McG.Collie MC Corps of Military Staff Clerks Army HQ. LS&GCM: MO438/14.

Alexander McGregor Collie, labourer, born 19Jul1874 at Bacchus Marsh; served 3 years 4 months in Vic Rangers; Enl.15May1896 as a Gunner in Vic Vol Arty; 30Aug1897 A/Bombr; 10Sep1897 reverted to Gunner at own request; 14Aug1900 charged with disobedience of orders, marrying without leave, fined 7 days payment; 16Apr1901 A/Bombr; 15May 1901 re-engaged for 5 years in Vic Regt R A Arty; 22Apr1902 Bombr; 09Aug1902 cancelled; 13Jan1904 supernummery; 14Jan1904 Military Staff Clerk; 01Jul1911 Warrant Officer; 12May1916 apptd Lieut in AIF, 3rd Div Ammn Col, at age 42 ; Emb.27Jun1916; to DAC 28Jul1917; 25Oct1917 awarded MC; 18Jan1918 to 13 LH from 3rd DAC; 24Jan1918 rejoined 3rd DAC; 10Jul1918 from 3 DAC to be Quarter Master Army HQ; 04Jul1918 Capt Admin HQ; AIF appt terminated 01Feb1920; RTA 21Aug1920; Hon Capt 01Jul1921; Capt 19Jul1923; Hon Maj 19Jul1934.

Lieut. Collie's brother also served in the AIF. In his official file there is a request to OIC Base Records, Melbourne by Lieutenant Collie at HQs, Adjutant General's Department that he be advised of his brother's situation. Subsequently, advice was directed to him that his brother 2041/903 William Thomas Collie, 11 LH Regt was KIA 26Nov1917 at Palestine. Unfortunately, Lieut. Collie was in the field at the time and the file notes that this information had not been imparted to him.

With research.