Orders, Decorations & Medals - Australian Groups

Lot 3892    Session 15 (7.30pm Thursday)    Orders, Decorations & Medals - Australian Groups

Estimate $10,000
Bid at live.noble.com.au
SOLD $14,000

GROUP OF FIVE: Egypt Medal 1882-89, (undated reverse), - clasp - Suakin 1885; Queen's South Africa Medal 1899, - four clasps - Cape Colony, Orange Free State, Transvaal, South Africa 1901; New South Wales Long Service and Good Conduct Medal (trophy of arms obverse); Commonwealth of Australia Meritorious Service Medal (EVIIR). 304. Sergt.Maj: W.H.Coleman N.S.W.Arty on first medal, 304 S.Major. W.H.Coleman, N.S.W.Art. on second medal, Bty:Sergt Major. W.Coleman. Permt.Arty. on third medal, No 1 Bat. Sgt. Maj. W.H.Coleman R.A.F.A 2nd M.D. 16.8.13 on fourth medal, last medal unnamed as issued. The second medal impressed, all other named medals engraved. Court mounted, the first four medals with contact marks, otherwise fine - very fine.

Ex Chris Thomas Collection. Previously ex Roxbury's Auction House Australia 1997 (lot 868).

William Hammond Coleman was born 15Apr1855 at Sofala, NSW, the son of a gold digger, and baptised in the Western Goldfields in the County of Wellington, NSW. He enlisted in the NSW Artillery in 1876 at the age of 21. In a statement made in 1906 recommending him for promotion, it was stated that Coleman had joined the regiment in 1876 attaining the rank of Battery Sergeant Major in 1883. In addition to Artillery work he rendered valuable service in connection with Equitation and Light Horse Schools, Staff Rides, Camps and other duties. He had a complete knowledge of Horse and Field Artillery work, both theoretical and practical, and was a first rate instructor and excellent horsemaster. He saw active service in the Soudan as Battery Sergeant Major in 1885 and likewise in South Africa in 1900-01 acting as Section Commander for about three months on column duty. On the return trip from South Africa he was Ship's Sergeant Major on the 'Harlech Castle' and was highly commended by the O.C. Ship, Colonel Antill.

Unfortunately his recommendation for promotion to Warrant Officer was not able to be effected because there was no vacancy for such rank in RAA of N.S.Wales. BSM William Coleman, known as 'Stripey', continued in his role as Battery Sergeant Major for many years right up until the Great War. He raised the Australian flag at Canberra on its naming ceremony on 12 March 1913.

It is of interest to know that during service in South Africa the casualties among horses was very great, particularly in non-regular units where the men were less experienced in caring for horses. However, in the Battery, the only horse to survive the war was that of BSM 'Stripey' Coleman.

William Hammond Coleman died on 27Aug1942 at the age of 87 and was buried at the Church of England Cemetery, Waverley, Sydney, NSW.

With research.