Orders, Decorations & Medals - Aust. Groups

Lot 4610    Session 16 (9:30am Friday 3rd August)    Orders, Decorations & Medals - Aust. Groups

Estimate $4,000
Bid at live.noble.com.au
SOLD $3,300

TRIO: Military Medal (GVR type 1) with Bar, British War Medal 1914-18, Victory Medal 1914-19. 2081 Pte F.D.Hookey 36/Aust: Inf: on first medal, 2081 L-Cpl.F.D.Hookey. 36-Bn. A.I.F. on second and third medals. All medals impressed. Court mounted for display, contact marks, very good.

MM: LG 16/8/1917, p8427; CAG 20/12/1917, p3377 to Pte F.D.Hookey 36Bn for gallant services in Belgium.

Bar to MM: LG 23/2/1918, p2412; CAG 25/7/1918, p1587 to L/Cpl F.D.Hookey 36Bn for gallant services in France.

Francis Darnley Hookey, labourer, age 30, born at Port Melbourne, Vic; Enl.27Apr1916 at West Maitland, NSW (interesting to note that his religion is shown in his records as 'Free Thinker'); Emb.24Aug1916; TOS 36Bn in France 11Nov1916; to L/Cpl 12Jun1917; to 34Bn 28May1918; injured France 23Aug1918 when five minutes before Zero under excitement and a heavy barrage he fell over the parapet into a trench and put his shoulder out and was then wounded in the leg by enemy fire on the way out to the Dressing Station; RTA 19Feb1919; Disch.22Jul1919.

In August 1920 a new Military Medal and Bar was sent from AIF HQs in London to replace the originals that had been presented to Francis Hookey but subsequently lost. Then in September 1956 Francis Hookey contacted the OIC AIF Records, Canberra advising that he had lost his medals and decoration on Anzac Day. He advertised at the time of the loss and then the RSL advised him to make contact with AIF Records. Fortunately they were able to advise him that his decoration and medals had been found and they were holding them for safe keeping and would forward them to him by registered post.

In June 1934 the Secretary of Nambucca District Sub-Branch of the R.S. & S.I.L.A. received a gift from Frank Hookey MM through the Secretary of the Gladesville Sub-Branch Returned Soldiers' League. It was a flag that was presented to the 'North Coasters' who marched through the district in about 1915. The flag was on a blue silken background and in satin and velvet lettering was worked the inscription, 'NORTH COASTERS en route TO BERLIN'. In the upper corners are the Union Jack and Commonwealth flags and in the centre is a photograph of Nambucca Heads taken from the vicinity of the School of Arts towards the river.

With research.