Orders, Decorations & Medals - Aust. Groups

Lot 4591    Session 16 (9:30am Friday 3rd August)    Orders, Decorations & Medals - Aust. Groups

Estimate $2,100
Bid at live.noble.com.au

GROUP OF FOUR: 1914-15 Star; British War Medal 1914-18; Victory Medal 1914-19; France, Medaille Militaire (Third Republic type with Paris Mint hallmark below 1870). 7716 Sjt C.L.Barnett. 5/F.A.Bde.A.I.F. on first medal, 7716 Sgt. C.L.Barnett. 5 F.A.B. A.I.F. on second and third medals, last medal unnamed as issued. Named medals impressed. Court mounted, chip in enamel of last medal, otherwise very fine.

French Medaille Militaire: LG 15/12/1919, p15580; CAG 25/3/1920, p393.

Recommendation: This Sergeant has rendered consistently gallant service, especially during the final Allied Advance from Villers Bretonneux on August 8th 1918 to cessation of hostilities. Particularly during operations for the capture of Mont St Quentin on August 31st 1918, this Non Commissioned Officer displayed conspicuous bravery in bringing forward his wagons to the guns at a time when ammunition was urgently needed. No less than three separate journeys, covering many miles, were undertaken successfully through enemy barrage. During the month of June 1918, at Villers Bretonneaux, this Non Commissioned Officer served with his Battery in liaison with the French Troops.

Recommendation for the American Distinguished Service Medal (No award made): During the operations in the vicinity of Peronne and Clery-Sur-Somme, August 9th to September 4th, 1918, this N.C.O.'s Battery was continually subjected to heavy hostile fire with high explosives and gas shell. On two occasions the Gunners of this N.C.O.'s Sub-section were wounded whilst the Battery was firing a Barrage in support of an Infantry attack on Mont St Quentin. On both occasions with an utter disregard for personal safety did he take charge of the removal of the wounded, at the same time maintaining his gun in action, all the time under very heavy hostile fire. During one of the moves forward at this period, this N.C.O.'s Sub-section was also caught in a very heavy hostile barrage, and his capable handling of the teams and men with coolness and devotion to duty was instrumental in averting casualties to personnel and equipment. His gun and ammunition was safely emplaced throughout these operations; his bearing was of the highest order, and set an example to the men of the Battery.

Charles Lincoln Barnett, clerk, age 21, born at Glebe, Sydney, NSW; Enl.14Sep1915 at National Park, Sydney, NSW, with service of 6 months in Infantry and 3 years with 44th Battery AFA; to Gunner 08Sep1918; to Sgt 10Sep1915; Emb.18Nov1915; revert to Gunner 10Feb1916; to Cpl 24Jul1916; to Sgt 01Apr1917; RTA 27Apr1919 and appointed Voyage QM Sgt; Disch.11Aug1919.

With research.