Orders, Decorations & Medals - Australian Groups

Lot 2062    SESSION 8 (2.30PM WEDNESDAY 29TH MARCH)    Orders, Decorations & Medals - Australian Groups

Estimate $7,000
Bid at live.noble.com.au
SOLD $18,000

GROUP OF SEVEN: Military Cross (GRI) and Bar; 1915 Star; British War Medal 1914-18; Victory Medal 1914-19; War Medal 1939-45; Australia Service Medal 1939-45; Efficiency Decoration (GRI) with Australia brooch bar; also unofficial Gallipoli Star riband with G in centre. Capt. R.Harburn 51st Bn A.I.F. on first medal, 961 Pte R.W.Harburn 11/Bn. A.I.F on second medal, Captain R Harburn AIF on third medal, Captain R.Harburn. A.I.F. on fourth medal, W242805 W.R.Harburn on fifth and sixth medals, W242805 Major. Harburn. W.R. (M.C) C.M.F on last medal. The first and last medals engraved, all other medals impressed. Very fine.

Note: Major Harburn recorded his name as Roy William Harburn when he enlisted in WWI. In some parts of his WWI service file he is referred to as W.R.Harburn and in WWII his name is recorded correctly as William Roy Harburn.

MC: LG 16/9/1918, p11048, posn 5; CAG 4/2/1919, p139, posn 17.

Recommendation for Captain William Roy Harburn: On the night 24/25th April 1918 during a counter-attack by his Battalion on a strong enemy position South of Villers-Bretonneux this Officer under very heavy rifle and machine gun fire led his Company against successive strong enemy positions and machine gun posts and succeeded in capturing 40 prisoners and 6 machine guns. On gaining the final position, he organised his own Company and the men of two other Coys of which their Company Commanders and most of the Officers were casualties and took command of the line, consolidating and placing it in a good state of defence. His ever cheerful manner and coolness under extremely heavy fire were inspiring to all and it was largely due to his splendid work that the attack was a brilliant success.

Bar to MC: LG 2/12/1918, p14226, posn 1; CAG 23/5/1919, p882, posn 8.

Recommendation for Captain William Roy Harburn MC (Incorrectly shown in A.I.F. lists as R.W.Harburn): On night 12th/13th August, 1918, during an attack on enemy position East of Etinehem near Bray-sur-Somme this officer, who was in command of the Right Company, deployed his Company well out in front of our line and did splendid work in leading his men under hostile shell and Machine Gun fire to the attack on enemy trenches. On gaining the objective he organized and consolidated the new position and at once established touch on the flanks. His excellent work and splendid initiative greatly assisted in the success of the operation. Two companies of the 51st Bn made this attack and in consequence of the determined and skilful manner in which they were led an advance of 2000 yards was made and 183 prisoners captured at the cost of only five men wounded.

ED: CAG No.55 20/3/1947, p929, to W242805 Maj. William Roy Harburn MC, Reserve of Officers.

Roy William (later correctly recorded as William Roy) Harburn, bank clerk, age 20, born at Auburn, Sydney, NSW and in WWII recorded as born at Nedlands, WA; Enl.31Aug1914 at Blackberry Hill, WA in 11Bn; Emb.31Oct1914; promoted L/Cpl 05May1915, Sgt 15Aug1915, CQMS 02Nov1915, 2Lt 12Mar1916, Lt 09Sep1916, Capt 05Jan1918; Trf to 51Bn 01Mar1916; WIA 02Apr1917 GSW head, France; served in Egypt, Gallipoli, UK and France; RTA 21Dec1918; Appt terminated 13Apr1919; to R of O. WWII: Appt'd from R of O (W242805) to Captain, Adjutant 10 Garrison Bn 06Oct1939; seconded to 2nd AIF (WX11048) 23Mar1941; Voyage only (Sea Transport) duties to Middle East 14Apr-24Aug1941 and 07Nov-10Dec1941; Cessation of secondment to AIF 15Jan1942; resumed CMF posting 17Jan1942; promoted Major 24Apr1943; Appt terminated 03Jan1946; to R of O List 04Jan1946.

With research.