Other Properties - Australian Groups

Lot 4039    SESSION 10 (9.30AM FRIDAY 27TH NOVEMBER)    Other Properties - Australian Groups

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

MC GROUP OF FOUR: Military Cross (GRI); 1914-15 Star; British War Medal 1914-18; Victory Medal 1914-19. Lieut J.H.Williams 52nd Battn. attached 13th A.L.T.M.B. Dernancourt. 5th April 1918 on first medal, 94 Pte J.H.Williams. 1/G.Hosp. A.I.F. on second medal, Lieut J.H.Williams A.I.F. on third medal and Lieut. J.H.Williams. A.I.F. on last medal. The first medal engraved, the other medals impressed. Display mounted on cardboard sheet with a fine filigreed oval sweetheart brooch in silver featuring a Rising Sun badge in the centre, also with a b&w photograph of recipient in uniform and a typed card with details of recipient and his award, very fine - extremely fine.

Together with temporary officer appointment document dated 17 October 1916; official officer appointment document effective 24 May 1917 and dated 14 June 1922; handwritten letter to CO, 52Bn detailing Lieut Williams excellent work and footnote by the aforementioned CO that he had submitted a recommendation for an award; typed letter of congratulations on award of Military Cross, the letter signed by W.R.Birdwood (General); b&w postcard of Heliopolis-Palace Hotel, handwritten by Jim Williams on 12 February 1915 to his 'Mum & Dad'.

MC: LG 26/7/1918, p8868; CAG 27/11/1918, p2266, to Lieutenant J.H.Williams, 52 Aust Infy Bn.

Recommendation: This officer was in charge of a Section of Trench Mortars during the enemy attack on the Railway Arch, Dernancourt, on 8th April, 1918. He rendered great assistance to the defence by the manner in which he handled his guns, observing their fire, and helping with the ammunition. He remained covering the withdrawal of the Infantry from the Railway line to the supporting posts, and then destroyed his guns to prevent their falling into enemy hands. Later, under heavy enemy Machine Gun fire, he reorganised his own men and infantry in his vicinity, and took part in repelling the subsequent enemy attacks on the new line.

James Henry Williams, clerk, age 22, born on the North Shore of Sydney NSW; Enl.05Oct1914 at Brisbane, Qld; Emb.21Nov1914 and proceeded to join unit at Gallipoli; to Cpl 14Mar1916; to Sgt 01May1916; to join BEF in France 05Jun1916; to 2Lt 07Oct1916 and TOS 13LTMB; to Lt 24May1917; to School of Instruction 23Jul1918; RTA 05Apr1919; Appt terminated 21Jul1919; Died 30Oct1938 and was buried at Toowong Cemetery, a heritage-listed cemetery at Toowong, City of Brisbane, Qld.

With research including copy of most of Service File and other research; relevant pages of War Diary; small chart of some unit colour patches; relevant published pages on the Battle of Dernancourt; newspaper cuttings, one featuring a group photo that includes Lt Williams.