Orders, Decorations & Medals - Australian Groups

Lot 2092    SESSION 8 (2.30PM WEDNESDAY 29TH MARCH)    Orders, Decorations & Medals - Australian Groups

Estimate $350
Bid at live.noble.com.au
SOLD $320

GROUP OF SIX: 1939-45 Star; Africa Star, - clasp - 8th Army; Pacific Star; Defence Medal 1939-45; War Medal 1939-45; Australia Service Medal 1939-45. NX16564 W.J.McLeod. All medals impressed. Swing mounted in two groups of three, very fine - extremely fine.

Together with riband for first three medals with 8 emblem on second; display board featuring Rats of Tobruk Association badge (KC50); Rising Sun hat and one collar badge and two Australia titles and four small Army buttons, all in oxidised bronze and two aluminium dog tags, one round and one hexagonal, and with neck cord, also two 2/13 Bn (Devil's Own) 'Tobruk' colour patches; official issue sheet for awards.

William John McLeod, born 19Sep1917 at Bondi, Sydney, NSW; Enl.22May1940 at Paddington, Sydney, NSW; Disch.12Sep1945 as Cpl ex HQ 20 Inf Bde.

Cpl McLeod served with the 2/13 Bn which was formed in April 1940 at Ingleburn Army Camp. After training the unit embarked for the Middle East where it transferred to the newly formed 9th Division which replaced the 6th Division in Cyrenaica. The 2/13th was the first complete Australian unit to engage German troops during WWII during the battle at Er Regima. The unit then joined the rest of the 9th Division at Tobruk being the last Australian battalion to leave. The Division then moved to Palestine and then Syria for garrison duties.

In July 1942 the 9th was sent to assist the British 8th Army in North Africa and fought in the Battle of El Alamein from 23 Oct to 5 Nov 1942. The unit was then recalled to Australia and after jungle training in Queensland was sent to New Guinea to battle the Japanese at Lae and Finschhafen. After a spell back in Australia, the 9th took part in operations in Borneo until the Japanese surrender and the war ended.

With research and photos.