Orders, Decorations & Medals - Australian Groups

Lot 2091    SESSION 8 (2.30PM WEDNESDAY 29TH MARCH)    Orders, Decorations & Medals - Australian Groups

Estimate $1,600
Bid at live.noble.com.au
SOLD $2,700

GROUP OF EIGHT: 1939-45 Star; Atlantic Star; Burma Star, - clasp - Pacific; Defence Medal 1939-45; War Medal 1939-45; Australia Service Medal 1939-45; Korea Medal 1950-53 with MID; UN Korea Medal. 424506 J.M.Burke on first three medals, 424506 J M Burke on fourth to sixth medals, 2/37656 J.M.Burke on last two medals. All medals impressed. Good very fine.

Together with programme for Memorial Service, The Royal Australian Regiment, held at The United Nations Military Cemetery, Pusan, on the occasion of the departure from Korea of The First Battalion, 23 March 1953 (includes Honour Roll for RAR First and Third Battalions; large B&W group photo of 1 Bn RAR prior to departure for Korea.

MID: LG 26/5/1953; CAG 4/6/1953.

Citation: Great skill and courage whilst commanding fighting patrols of 1 Bn RAR.

Recommendation by M.Austin CO 1RAR: During the period 1st July 1952 to 31st December 1952 Lieutenant Burke has commanded over 20 fighting patrols. On 13/14 August 1952 he led his Platoon on a raid to GRAVE SPUR (CT134177). Two days later he commanded a similar raid to the same place. On both occasions he showed great audacity and determination in carrying out his task and maintained good control of his patrols through minefields which weren't accurately recorded. His actions were planned and rehearsed with the thoroughness characteristic of him, and carried out with aggressive determination.

During the course of a daylight patrol against the enemy at SANJOM-NI on 28 August 1952 Lieutenant Burke dispersed his men to covered positions, and then, under heavy and accurate fire, in full view of the enemy, went to the assistance of the wounded man. Regardless of personal danger from mortar bombs falling within a radius of 20 yards, this officer rendered first aid in the open. Twice he was forced to take cover but with complete courage he twice went back to complete first aid and assist the casualty. Realizing it would be fatal to drag or move the wounded man into a stretcher Lieutenant Burke remained for a further considerable time, still under fire, until the casualty could be moved under cover of smoke. This officer's quick action in dispersing his men kept casualties to a minimum, and his great personal courage in attending the casualty earned him the highest respect of his men. For his coolness, quick thinking and offensive spirit against the enemy it is recommended that this officer be Mentioned in Despatches.

John Murray Dalton Burke, trainee industrial chemist, bank officer and soldier, born 05Mar1923 at Chatswood, Sydney, NSW; Enl.20Oct1941 in Militia and allocated to 1 Medium Training Battery of artillery; full-time duty 21May1942; Enl.12Sep1942 at 2nd Recruit Centre, Sydney, NSW, into RAAF and to 2 Initial Training School; LAC 05Dec1942; to 1 Air Observer School 10Dec1942; to 1 Air Navigational School 31Mar1943; to 3 Basic Gunnery School 05Apr1943; to Sgt and re-mustered as navigator 24Jun1943; to 66Sqn 09Oct1943; to 8 Services Flying Training School as Flt Sgt 02Dec1943; to 1 OTU 25Jan1944; Emb.15Feb1944 for UK; to 131 OUT 04Jul1944; to 302 Fighter Training Unit of RAF 04Jul1944; WOff 24Dec194; to 212 Sqn Sea East Asia Command 11Jan1945; to RAF Bhopal 07Jul1945; Disch.20Dec1945 ex RAF Bhopal (noted operational Service with 202Sqn RAF); Lt in 30Bn (NSW Scottish) (Militia) 27Jun1949; to Interim Army 17Sep1951; to 1Bn RAR 09Nov1951; Korean War: Emb.03Mar1952 for Japan; to Korea 29Sep1952 and served with 1st Bn, RAR HQs, 1st British C'wealth Div 07Apr1952 to 23Apr1953; to Captain 20Oct1952 and Personal Assistant to General Officer Commanding 1st Commonwealth Division, UN Forces; RTA 27Apr1953; attended various training courses and served with various units - to Major 28Feb1959 with Australian Army Staff, London; to Army Staff Washington, USA for duty Ottawa, Canada 15Oct1965; Lt Col 21Jul1966 and to training at Fort Leavenworth, USA at General Staff College; duty with Australian Staff, Washington, USA 29Dec1966 as Primary Standardization Officer; Asst Director Ordnance Services Army HQs Melbourne 06Feb1969; Enplaned Sydney 12Aug1969 for Saigon, South Vietnam on visit duty; RTA 27Aug1969; Disch.30Sep1971.

With copy of service file and other research.