Orders, Decorations & Medals - Aust. Singles

Lot 3143    SESSION 13 (2.30PM THURSDAY 25TH MARCH)    Orders, Decorations & Medals - Aust. Singles

Estimate $3,000
Bid at live.noble.com.au
SOLD $9,800

POLAR MEDAL, in bronze (GVR crowned bust), - clasp - Antarctic 1930-31. George J. Rhodes. Engraved. Oxidation at top edge near suspender and dark toning on King's head, otherwise good very fine and scarce.

Together with book titled Antarctic Days With Mawson, a personal account of the British, Australian and New Zealand Antarctic Research Expedition of 1929-31, by Harold Fletcher, 1984, hard cover with dust jacket, 313pp with b&w photographs, cover page signed by David L. Allen.

Polar Medal: LG 1/5/1934, p2788 clasp Antarctic 1930-31 to George J.Rhodes.

George James Rhodes was born at Cairns Bay in the Huon Valley of Tasmania 22Jun1905; Enl.11Jul1924 in RAN, Port Melbourne Division as Asst Cook while living at Albert Park, Melbourne, Vic; postings included Cerberus, Success, Melbourne, Adelaide, Brisbane, Albatross, London Depot, Australia and Stuart; while serving in RAN he was selected for service as 2nd Cook on S.Y. (Steam Yacht) Discovery for the BANZ Antarctic Research Expedition led by Sir Douglas Mawson and served on Discovery 20Oct1930 to 04Aug1931; resumed service with RAN and Disch.30Jul1936.

At Jervis Bay, NSW on Sunday 17 February 1935 Rear Admiral commanding the Australian Squadron left his flagship, HMAS Canberra, and used his barge to cross to HMAS Stuart, leader of the destroyer flotilla. There he held an award ceremony and presented the Polar Medal to Leading Cook George Rhodes for his services with the British, Australian, & New Zealand Antarctic Research Expedition of 1930-31.