Orders, Decorations & Medals - Other Properties - Aus

Lot 3713    SESSION 13 (2.30PM THURSDAY 2ND APRIL)    Orders, Decorations & Medals - Other Properties - Aust.

Estimate $6,000
Bid at live.noble.com.au
SOLD $3,700

DCM TRIO: Distinguished Conduct Medal (GVR type 1); British War Medal 1914-18; Victory Medal 1914-19. 2518 Sjt: G.A.Bliss. 34/Aust:Inf: on first medal, 2518 Sgt G.A.Bliss. 34Bn. A.I.F. on last two medals. All medals impressed. With original ribbons, each affixed with a small safety pin as worn, some light contact marks, otherwise very fine.

Together with contemporary case for storing three medals; Order of the Day from Divisional Commander, Maj Gen Gellibrand, commending Sergt Bliss on the award of DCM; colour printed Army Orders by General Sir H.S.Rawlinson, Bart., G.C.V.O., K.C.B., K.C.M.G., Commanding Fourth Army, that includes the name of Sergeant G.Bliss as recipient of Immediate Award of DCM; colour printed congratulations' note from General Rawlinson to Sergeant G.Bliss on award of DCM; various b&w photos; parchment map of France Edition 4.B by Ordnance Survey (O.B.) August 1918.

DCM: LG 5/12/1918, p14458; CAG 14/3/1919, p423.

Recommendation: For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty during operations against enemy positions South of the Somme on 8th August 1918. Sergeant Bliss was platoon sergeant in the Company allotted the task of attacking Accroche Wood in co-operation with other units. During the advance through the wood under a very dense fog many men became separated from their units. Under instructions from his platoon Commander, Sergeant Bliss took under his command a platoon so separated and led them forward under a heavy artillery barrage through the wood and joined up again in line with his Company. Sergeant Bliss personally led a party of these men against an enemy machine gun position in Long Valley where he captured ten prisoners and three machine guns. He inspired his men with great confidence by his gallant deeds and afterwards with another party he rushed an enemy 4.2 gun position capturing two guns and 12 prisoners. He then led his men on to the objective where he assisted his platoon Commander to reorganise. The bravery, fearlessness of this N.C.O. was splendid. He greatly assisted the advance of his Company by forming a solid flanking platoon on its right.

George Arthur Bliss, loco fireman, age 21, born at Bathurst, NSW; Enl.23Aug1916 at Newcastle, NSW with previous service of 3 months with 16 Infy U.T.; Emb.17Nov1916; to 9th Tng Bn England 30Jan1917; to France 25Apr1917; TOS 34Bn 30Apr1917 in the field; to 9th Fld Amb with contused shoulder caused by accident, then to hospital and convalescence; rejoined unit 28Apr1918; WIA 26May1918 gassed, France; awarded DCM following action on 08Aug1918; 24Jan1919 to 10th Fld Amb and then hospital with influenza; RTA 19Apr1919; Disch.21Jul1919; returned to Newcastle and was married on 24Apr1920 and had two children, a daughter named Lorna and a son named Neville; worked as a coal miner until he retired at age 60; died at Newcastle in 1968 and was buried at Beresfield, a suburb of Newcastle; an official memorial erected by the War Graves Commission on Wall 24 Row B in the NSW Garden of Remembrance at Rookwood Cemetery in Sydney.

With research including family notes and Service File.