Orders, Decorations & Medals - Australian Groups

Lot 2073    SESSION 8 (2.30PM WEDNESDAY 29TH MARCH)    Orders, Decorations & Medals - Australian Groups

Estimate $7,500
Bid at live.noble.com.au
SOLD $8,500

GROUP OF FIVE: Distinguished Service Order (GVR); British War Medal 1914-18; Victory Medal 1914-19 with MID; War Medal 1939-45; Australia Service Medal 1939-45. First medal unnamed, Lieut. J.P.Croughan. A.I.F. on second and third medals, V85762 J.P.Croughan on last two medals. All named medals impressed. Display mounted, very fine.

Note: Letter of Commendation by South African Police dated 30th September 1926 re Sergeant J.P.Croughan DSO - 'This Non-Commissioned Officer rendered distinguished services during the attack of the revolutionaries on Brakpan Police Station, and his conduct generally was a fine inspiration to others. He took command of one of the trenches and behaved fearlessly in tending to the watering and feeding of horses in the besieged premises whilst sniping was taking place.'

Together with the following items,
1. Original coloured document being a list of Immediate Awards by General Sir H.S.Rawlinson, Bart, G.C.V.O., K.C.B., K.C.M.G., Commanding Fourth Army, includes name of Lt Croughan.
2. Bestowal document for DSO dated 24/9/1918 to Lieutenant John Philip Croughan 16th Battery, 6th Army Brigade, Australian Artillery.
3. Letters of congratulations on award of DSO including one from (Maj-Gen) W.B.Birdwood.
4. Original document for MID by Field Marshall Sir Douglas Haig.
5. WWI large coloured linen map of France Sheet 57B, 1st edition.
6. WWI large coloured linen map of France Sheet 62c, 1st edition.
7. WWI large coloured linen map of France Sheet 62D S.E., 3rd edition.
8. Small hand made map scale marker on cardboard marked J.P.Croughan on both sides.
9. Range Table book for 18-Pr. Q.F. Guns Marks 1, and II with various handwritten notes throughout.
10. Soldier's Pay Books for 1916 (2, one for use on Active Service) and 1944.
11. The Aberdeen Line map with route ruled in red from England through various stops to Melbourne. At the top of the map is stamped, 'T.S.S.Demosthenes' and written, 'Left Plymouth 2p.m. 7/1/19 Arrd P.Said 27/1/19 8-9am/To Lt.Croughan D.S.O Adjutant. Voyage 22 Left Suez 28/1/19 6.30pm Arrd Colombo 8/2/19'. At bottom right signed, 'I.C.Stewart Smith/?? 2nd Officer'.
12. AMF Army Driving Licence to V85762 Captain Croughan J.P., R.A.F.A., dated 3-7-42.
13. Numerous single and group photos including a large WWII group photo of participants in No.2 Army Course for Staff Sergeants at Caulfield Racecourse with Capt Croughan, 4th row right end.
14. WWII printed satirical cartoon (44x32.5cm), in b&w featuring a Japanese officer head and shoulders holding a cigarette and at top, 'Don't Work.Don't Train.Don't Fight!' and beside the officer, 'Thank You!'. At bottom is written, 'Adopted By General Staff & (illegible text below)'.
15. Various postcards, invitations and cards including one hand made for 9 ASDC Camp in August 1943 with many autographs and another for a reception in July 1928 given by the Lord Mayor of Melbourne to meet Vice-Admiral Seizo Kobayashi, His Imperial Highness Prince Takamatsu and Officers of The Japanese Training Squadron, with various Japanese autographs.
16. Other documents including Certificate of Service dated 30 Jan 1946, newspaper cuttings, part of a newsletter and a Victoria Barracks Melbourne Pass issued to Capt J.P.Croughan, issued 18.2.1942.
17. WWII fork of tree, one side shaved and in lower half a series of small joined frames, ladder-like, containing photos with captions below for Cpl Spargo, Records; WO Davies, RSM; Capt Croughan, Camp Comd't; Sgt Wilson, Camp Sgt; Cpl Davies, Clerk. Slightly above and to left is a colour patch for HQ Allied Land Forces South West Pacific Area (LHQ) 1942-1945. At the top in gold ink is written, 'Camp Commandant/Staff/Alice Springs - 1942' and below at left is signed, W/O Davis E.J./Cpl Spargo J.L./Cpl Davies L.E./Sgt Wilson D.T.D.' and at right, 'J P Croughan Capt/CC'.

DSO: Immediate Award by Army Order 154, July 30th 1918 to Lieutenant J.P.Croughan, Australian Field Artillery.LG 24/9/1918, p11279, posn 3; CAG 12/2/19, p263, posn 8.

Recommendation: In the attack on the enemy line East of Ville sur-Ancre on the 4th July 1919 this Officer was Artillery Forward Observer with the O.C. Attack and went forward with the first wave of the Infantry. The O.C. of the Company he was with was severely wounded and he himself much shaken by a shell in "No Mans Land" he went on however and reached the final objective. He then found that all the Officers except one in the Right Company were casualties and the enemy had commenced a counter attack on the Right Flank. With great determination and ability he assisted in re-organizing the Infantry and by his initiative and promptness the situation was restored and touch completed with the Infantry on the Left. He was instrumental from the moment of consolidation in getting valuable information back to his Headquarters both by Runner and Pigeons and throughout the day did valuable work in directing the supporting artillery fire and inspiring the Infantry with confidence. At about 8.45p.m. when the enemy counter-attacked under a heavy barrage he again got information as to the position through promptly and was again of great value in assisting to organize the Infantry defence and keep touch between the various infantry Officers who were heavily engaged. He remained in the captured line until relieved at 1.40 a.m. on the following morning. He showed throughout bravery, energy and ability of the highest order and capacity for leadership.

MID: LG 31/12/1918, p15226, posn 2; CAG 23/5/1919, p881, posn 63.

John Phillip Croughan, costs clerk, age 27, born at Hawthorn, Vic; Enl.05Feb1916 at Blackboy Hill, WA; Emb.20May1916; 08Feb1916 Gunner, 01May1916 Cpl, 01 Jul1916 Sgt, 27Jan1917 Temp BSM, 08Oct1917 2Lt, 08Jan1918 Lt; TOS 23 FAB 06Jan1917, 12Jan1917 to 7th FAB; 23Mar1917 to 3rd DAC; 10Jul1917 to 16th Bty; 08Oct1917 to 6 Bde AFA; WIA 18Oct1918 Gassed, France; Appt Adjutant to Maj H.L.Bruce, MC, O.C. Troops, H.T. Demosthenes; RTA 16Jan1919; Appt Term 09Apr1919. WWII: Enl.22Jun1940 at Sth Melbourne, Vic; Disch.25Jan1944 as Capt ex 33Bn.

With research.