Orders, Decorations & Medals - Aust. Groups

Lot 4578    Session 16 (9:30am Friday 3rd August)    Orders, Decorations & Medals - Aust. Groups

Estimate $6,000
Bid at live.noble.com.au

FAMILY GROUP: (Father) Group of Four: China War Medal 1900; 1914-15 Star; British War Medal 1914-18; Victory Medal 1914-19. F.Sturch, A.B., N.S.Wales Nav. Contgt. on first medal, O.N.4478 F.Sturch. S.B.S on second medal, 12070 T-Sgt. F.Sturch. 9-F. Amb. A.I.F. on last two medals. All medals impressed. (Son) Group of Five: 1939-45 Star (not entitled to this, see note below); Pacific Star; Defence Medal 1939-45; War Medal 1939-45; Australia Service Medal 1939-45. First medal unnamed, NX67226 T.V.Sturch on last four medals. All medals impressed. First group stapled to a board together with a Navy Comrades Association membership badge, contact marks, otherwise nearly very fine, the second group display mounted, very fine - extremely fine.

Together with prize fob medal, 1899, in silver, initials on obverse are indecipherable due to wear, reverse inscribed, 'P.S.A.A. (Public Schools' Athletic Association)/Won By/Florence Wing/1899' (relationship to Sturch unknown); Sydney Wharf Labourers Union membership badge no.3171, impressed '1902 Wm.H' and '1903 Wm.H' (relationship to Sturch unknown); token made at NZ Exhibition Christ Church 1906-7, obverse impressed around edge, 'F.STURCH ST.JOHNS RD.GLEBE.'; prize fob medal, 1917, in silver, obverse with initials, 'V.S.', reverse inscribed, 'Cycling/1917'; prize fob, 1918, in 9ct gold (1.38g), suspension loop missing, obverse with initials, 'TVS', reverse inscribed, '880 Yds H'dcp/1918.'; YMCA prize medal, 1921, in bronze (65mm), obverse with YMCA logo in laurel wreath, reverse plain and inscribed, '1921 Championships./V.Sturch./1 Mile Bike.', in case of issue by Angus & Coote, Sydney (case damaged) (note that Thomas preferred the name Valentine and referred to himself as Val); J.C.J. Members Only check piece in cupro nickel, holed for suspension, reverse numbered 824; Coogee Surf L.S. Club lapel badge in gilt and enamel.

The YMCA Championships sports meeting was held on Saturday 24 September 1921 at the Sydney Sports Ground, Moore Park. It was the first time it was held in Sydney since 1913 having been cancelled from 1914 onwards due to the war.

Frederick Sturch, born 22Jun1876 at Shipston-on-Stour, Warwickshire, England; served with Royal Navy 7 years and purchased discharge; arrived in Australia and joined NSW Fire Brigade; joined N.S.Wales Naval Contingent for service in China; Emb.08Aug1900 on SS Salamis; RTA 25Apr1901 on SS Chingtu; joined NSW Tramways as Tram Driver; joined RAN 18Aug1914 as Sick Bay Steward; Emb.Aug1914 on hospital ship HMAS Grantala for Rabaul to support AN&MEF; RTA Dec1914; Disch.23Dec1914; joined AIF, Enl.11Jul1915 at Liverpool; Emb.11May1916 with 9 Field Amb; to Cpl 07Aug1916; TOS 35Bn 18Mar1917; to T/Sgt 16Jun1917; WIA 02Jul1917 GSW left thigh and right leg and revert to Cpl; RTA 21Dec1917; Disemb.14Feb1918; Disch.13Aug1918; Died 14Mar1949; the funeral left from his residence at Regents Park, Sydney, NSW for the service at the Rookwood Crematorium.

Thomas Valentine (Val) Sturch, carpenter, born 13Feb1902 at Sydney, NSW; Enl.17Jun1940 at Martin Place, Sydney and then subscribed 14Jan1941 at Paddington, Sydney, NSW, with service in Senior Cadets 1916-20; to AAOC; served in Middle East 03Sep1941-28Mar1942 and in New Guinea and Borneo 11Apr1945-06Aug1945; Disch.21Feb1946 as Sgt ex 2/15 Aust Fld Engr Coy.

Note: Thomas Sturch queried his medals entitlement after they were issued to him as he thought he was entitled to the 1939-45 Star and the Africa Star. However, he was advised by Central Army Records Office that his service in Palestine was qualifying service for the Defence Medal and not the Africa Star and that the 1939-45 Star required 6 months operational service overseas prior to 2 September 1945 and apparently his overseas service did not meet these requirements.

Together with a very large portfolio of WWI and WWII letters written by the Sturch family members while serving, as well as other documents, research, newspaper clippings and a large number of Sturch family photos, all stored in a large binder.