Other Properties - Australian Groups

Lot 4042    SESSION 10 (9.30AM FRIDAY 27TH NOVEMBER)    Other Properties - Australian Groups

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

DCM GROUP OF FOUR: Distinguished Conduct Medal (GVR type 1); 1914-15 Star; British War Medal 1914-18; Victory Medal 1914-19. 8915 Sjt: R.W.Jane. Aust:F.A. on first medal, 8915 Gnr R.W.Jane. 2/D.A.C. A.I.F. on second medal, 8915 Sgt R.W.Jane 2 D.A.C. A.I.F. on last two medals. All medals impressed. Swing mounted, contact marks, otherwise fine - very fine.

Ex Noble Numismatics Sale 110 (lot 3902).

DCM: LG 12/3/1919, p3392; CAG 17/6/1919, p1012, to Sgt R.W.Jane, 5 Aust Fd Arty Bty.

Recommendation: (with 105th How Bty, 5 Aust Fed Arty Bty) At Hargicourt on the morning of the 29th September 1918 this N.C.O. was in charge of a gun, which was situated in a very exposed position on the right flank of the Battery. Soon after our Barrage opened, a heavy counter-barrage was put down close to the Battery; two of Sgt. Jane's detachment were casualties, but with great coolness and courage this N.C.O. though short-handed, and under heavy shell-fire, continued to work his gun, so that although a difficult creeping barrage was being fired, not a round was missed and continuous fire maintained.

Shortly afterwards this N.C.O. was himself severely wounded in the arm; but still continued to work the gun, though weak and dazed; it was only on the receipt of a direct order from an Officer that he would consent to leave his gun and hand over his barrage sheet to another N.C.O. This N.C.O. set a conspicuous example of consummate coolness and courage, and displayed a very high devotion to duty in the face of most trying and dangerous circumstances.

Richard Watson Jane, orchardist, age 22, born at Clunes, Vic; Enl.02Nov1915 at Melbourne, Vic; Emb.16Nov1915; served in operations in France and Flanders near Flers and then Pozieres, also at Ypres, Passchendaele and Mont St Quentin; WIA 29Sep1918 shrapnel to right arm, near Mont St Quentin; RTA 04Feb1919; Disch.21Mar1919 Medically Unfit; Died 05May1955; buried 06May1955 at Spring Vale Crematorium.

With research including copy of Service File.