Australian Groups - Other Properties

Lot 4665    Session 15 ( 7.30pm Thursday 20th November)    Australian Groups - Other Properties

Estimate $10,000
Bid at live.noble.com.au
SOLD $8,000

MC GROUP OF SEVEN FOR TOBRUK: Military Cross (GVIR GRI type); 1939-45 Star; Africa Star; Pacific Star; Defence Medal 1939-45; War Medal 1939-45 with MID; Australia Service Medal 1939-45. 1941 on reverse of bottom arm of first medal, NX34890 J.E.Macdonald on the other medals. The first medal engraved, all other medals impressed. Extremely fine.

Together with,

1. Letter of Congratulations from and signed by General A.P. Wavell, Commander-in-Chief, Middle East, for 'gallantry in action in Libya for which you have been awarded The Military Cross'.

2. Certificate from the Minister of State for the Army for Mentioned in Despatch for distinguished service.

3. ".Line Upon Line." a book on the life and military service of Captain John E. Macdonald, M.C. 1912-1958 researched and compiled by Andrew and Chris Macdonald. (RARE)

MC: LG 9/5/1941, p2646, posn 20;

Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty during the Battle of Tobruk on 21 Jan. 41. Lieut. Macdonald attacked with his platoon a strongly held enemy post containing a field gun and six machine guns, and surrounded by a deep anti-tank ditch. On most of his platoon becoming disorganized in the ditch, Lieut. Macdonald with a couple of men advanced on the post and attacked it with grenades. A machine gun opened fire and killed one of the men, and this officer advanced alone, attacking with grenades. He was wounded once and continued, being again wounded in the body, but continued his advance, throwing grenades into the post. By the inspiring example and outstanding courage of this very gallant officer the post was finally captured.'

MID: LG 6/3/1947, p1093, posn 159; CAG 6/3/1947, p752, posn 132.

Citation: 'Exceptional service in the field in S.W.P. Area.'

Excerpts from 2/3 Aust Inf Bn War Diary read; 2 Apr 45, 0800, 'Capt Macdonald, in comd B and C Coys, with FOO party and native guides, moved out to raid 20 Jap Div HQ.' 1600, 'Macdonald Force moved silently to Jap HQ and attacked the enemy with complete surprise.' (This was the hunt to capture the Japanese general for which action Capt Macdonald was awarded the MID.)

John Edward Macdonald, stock agent, 27, born at 'Dalkeith' a farming and grazing property on the Murrumbidgee River, Gundagai, NSW; attended Gundagai Public School and later Scots College at Sydney where he attained his Intermediate and then Leaving Certificate. He excelled in rowing and football and also served two years in Scots College Cadet Unit. From 1931-1934 he worked as a jackeroo and then joined Dalgety & Co Ltd as a Stock and Land Agent. He trained with the 21st Lighthorse Regiment at Wagga Wagga, NSW; Enl.01Jul1940 at Paddington, NSW; Emb.30Aug1940 to Middle East; WIA 21Jan1941 perforated wound abdomen; various postings then to New Guinea Campaign; Disch.21Sep1945; transferred to Reserve of Officers 16Oct1945.

Mr J.E. Macdonald applied for replacement medals in 1954 when he thought he had lost those issued to him. These replacements were issued to him in 1955. After he died in 1958 the original medals were found by the family. They made a decision to retain the duplicate medals in the family and to sell the original issues, the medals offered above.

With photos and extensive research including military records.