Orders, Decorations & Medals - Australian

Lot 4007    SESSION 13 - 2.30PM Thursday 31 July    Orders, Decorations & Medals - Australian

Estimate $5,000
Bid at live.noble.com.au
SOLD $4,600

FAMILY GROUP WITH TWO DOW, one at Gallipoli: WWI: Brother 1: Meritorious Service Medal (GVR uniformed bust); British War Medal 1914-18; Victory Medal 1914-19. 4970 Sjt: R.T.Willoughby. 57/Aust:Inf: on first medal, 4970 Sjt R.T Willoughby. 57 Bn. A.I.F. on second medal, 4970 Sgt. R.T.Willoughby 57 Bn . A.I.F. on last medal. Brother 2: 1914-15 Star; British War Medal 1914-18; Victory Medal 1914-19. 343 Pte T.Willoughby. 1/Bn. A.I.F. on all medals. Brother 3: 1914-15 Star; British War Medal 1914-18; Victory Medal 1914-19.23/651 Rflm. W.Willoughby. N.Z.E.F. on all medals. WWII: Son 1 of R.T.Willoughby: 1939-45 Star; Pacific Star 1939-45; War Medal 1939-45; Australia Service Medal 1939-45; Australian Service Medal 1945-1975, - clasp - PNG. 118721 K.C.E.Willoughby on all medals. Son 2 of R.T.Willoughby: Defence Medal 1939-45. 117207 T.A.Willoughby. All medals impressed except the ASM 1945-1975 which is pantograph engraved. Good fine - good very fine, four groups and a single.

Together with,

1. King's Silver War badge, reverse number A51626.

2. WWI Returned from Active Service A.I.F. badge, reverse numbered 102170.

3. Returned Soldier tribute fob, in 9ct gold (3.8 g), obverse inscribed, 'Returned Soldier', reverse inscribed, 'Sgt. T.Willoughby/M.S.M./Presented by/Ovens Vale Friends/7/1/19', in original case. This fob was presented to R.T.Willoghby who was commonly known as Tom, hence the inscription T.Willoughby.

4. WWII Nearest Female Relative badges (2) one with two stars with reverse numbered AF 8425 and one with one star with reverse numbered AF 33198.

5. Manchester Regiment hat badge with pin suspension added and British Army General Service button made into bar brooch. The Manchester Regiment badge and the button bar brooch were given to Margaret Rosina Wood, born in Bristol, England (married R.T.Willoughby in 1921) by an officer of the Manchester Regiment during WWI and she kept them for the rest of her life. It is believed that the officer died in the war.

6. LAC rank badge in bronze.

7. Official case for Australian Service Medal 1945-1975.

8. Medalet for Centenary of Victoria 1934/Centenary of Melbourne 1935, in silvered bronze, with original ribbon.

9. Various photos including of graves, military documents, service records, a most comprehensive family history; noted War Savings Certificates Voluntary Worker badge no 15782 with letter of issue to Mrs M.R.Willoughby, wife of R.T.Willoughby, also noted various papers and photos for 22301 Gunner James Walter Dundas Gale, 7th Field Artillery Brigade, AIF, KIA at Polygon Wood (son of Mrs A.M.Willoughby).

MSM: LG 17/6/1918 to Sergeant R.T.Willoughby in recognition of valuable service rendered with the Forces in France.

Recommendation: During the period 22 September 1917 to 25 February 1918 this NCO has shown exceptional resource and devotion to duty. As intelligence NCO of the Battalion he has constantly performed most dangerous duties in patrol and observation work, showing a disregard of danger which has been a splendid example to the men with whom he came in contact. His work has been of the greatest value to the Battalion and is worthy of recognition. Recommended by H.E. 'Pompey' Elliot Brig. General Commanding 15th Infantry Brigade.

Richard Thomas 'Tom' Willoughby, farmer, age 28, born at Ovens Vale, Victoria; Enl.227Oct1915 at Melbourne, Victoria; Emb.07Mar1916; to L/Cpl 29Jul1916; to No 1 Sniping School 30Sep1917; to Sgt 20Oct1917; WIA 26Apr1918 GSW to head; awarded MSM 17Jun1918; RTA 27Dec1918; Disch.01Mar1919 Medically Unfit; Died 13May1944 as a consequence of war injuries, buried in Old Section of Wodonga Cemetery.

Thomas Willoughby, farmer, age 20, born Myrtleford, Victoria; WIA at Quinn's Post, Gallipoli 20May1915 GSW head; DOW on board hospital ship 'Galeka' and buried at sea 21May1915; commemorated at Lone Pine Memorial Panel. William Willoughby, labourer, age 31, born at Victoria; served in Myrtleford Light Horse Militia prior to WWI; Enl.29May1915 in 3rd New Zealand (Rifle) Brigade; Disemb, Suez 15Nov1915; WIA 29Mar1917 buttocks and lower extremities; DOW 07Apr1917; buried Trois-Arbres Cemetery, Steenwerck, France; in a NZ Government issued prayer book bearing the handwritten details of William Willoughby, he has written a short note on the inside cover that reads, 'I am going to fight for my life. I am not going to be drowned or taken prisoner if I can help it. Signed and dated Jan 21st 1916'.

Kenneth Charles Ernest Willoughby, Victorian Railway's messenger, born 14Sep1924 at Wodonga, Victoria; Enl.21Sep1942 in RAAF; Disch.09May1946 ex No 100 Sqn.

Thomas Albert Willoughby, born 03Mar1922 at Wodonga, Victoria; Enl.10Aug1942; Disch.19Mar1946 ex 1 Central Recovery Depot.

With masses of research as mentioned above.