Orders, Decorations & Medals - Aust. Groups

Lot 3153    SESSION 13 (2.30PM THURSDAY 25TH MARCH)    Orders, Decorations & Medals - Aust. Groups

Estimate $1,500
Bid at live.noble.com.au
SOLD $3,400

FAMILY GROUP: (Relative 1) Military Medal (GVR type 1); 1914-15 Star; British War Medal 1914-18; Victory Medal 1914-19; Serbia, Cross of Karageorge 2nd Class. 225884 Sjt: B.C.Spy. 10/Cam: Hdrs-T.F. on first medal, 378 Cpl. B.C.Spy. Sco.H. on second medal, 378 Sjt. B.C.Spy. Sco. H. on third and fourth medals, last medal unnamed as issued. All named medals impressed.; (Relative 2) Pair: British War Medal 1914-18; Victory Medal 1914-19. 2.Lieut. ER.Findlay. Both medals impressed.; (Relative 3) Group of Four: United Nations Korea Medal 1950-53; Vietnam Medal 1964-73; Army Long Service and Good Conduct Medal (EIIR crowned head Dei:Gratia), with Australia suspender; South Vietnam Campaign Medal 1964-72, - clasp - 1960-. 2/7283 E.F.Spy on first medal, 27283 E.F.Spy on last three medals. The first three medals impressed, the last medal engraved. Three groups, the last group court mounted, very fine - extremely fine.

Together with a court mounted matching set of miniatures for last group.

2 Lieut E.R.Findlay also entitled to 1914-15 Star named to 4436 Gnr. E.R.Findlay. 2FAB. A.I.F. (issued to his mother at Williamstown in Victoria 01Sep1920 by Dept of Defence, Australia, the British War Medal and Victory Medal were issued by the War Office in England).

E.F.Spy also entitled to Commendation for Distinguished Service in Vietnam, which was issued posthumously.

B.C.Spy awards
MM: Supplement to LG 23/2/1918, p2431 to 225884 Sjt. B.C.Spy, Cam. Highrs. (Dumbartonshire).

Cross of Karageorge 2nd Class: Supplement to LG 28/1/1918, p1377 to 225884 Serjeant Bruce Carstairs Spy, Cameron Highlanders (Helensburgh).

E.F.Spy awards
Commendation for Distinguished Service: CAG No.S252, 3/6/1998, p3 to The Late Mr Ernest Findlay Spy for service in Vietnam on End of War List as result of Independent Review and announced on 3 June 1998.

LS&GCM: CAG Issue No.63 24/6/1971, p3757 to 27283 WO1 Ernest Findlay Spy.

(Relative 1)
Bruce Carstairs Spy (of Messrs A.&R.Spy, coal merchants) was born in 1899 at Argyll and Bute, Scotland; Died of pneumonia 09Nov1918 at Helensburgh, Argyll and Bute, Scotland and buried at the Rhu Parish Graveyard.

(Relative 2)
Ernest Robert Findlay, shipping clerk, age 26, born at Pyrmont, Sydney, NSW; Enl.06Mar1915 at Melbourne, Vic; Gunner in 6th Rfts FArty; trf to Heavy Bty Div Arty 21Aug1915; Emb.28Jun1915 and to Gallipoli; to hospital sick 26Sep1915 and then embarked for hospital in England 15Oct1915; Disch.16Mar1916 in England and sent to course of instruction in Cadet Artillery Brigade and then given a temporary commission in the Regular Army, Special Reserve of Officers, Territorial Forces; to France Jan1917; in British attack at Messines and Passchendale Ridge; WIA with 255 Brigade RFA (Aberdeen Bty) and DOW 05Oct1917, Ypres, Belgium; Buried at Gwalia Cemetery, Poperinghe, Flanders, Belgium.

There is no record that the above two men were married so it appears that they were probably great uncles to Ernest Findlay Spy.

(Relative 3)
Ernest Findlay Spy, born 06Dec1925 at Windsor, NSW; served in permanent army, WO2 in RAASC; Vietnam service - HQs Aust Army Force Vietnam 09Jun1965 to 18Apr1966 and HQs Aust Force Vietnam (Army Component) 19Apr1966 to 11Jun1966; Died in 1983 and funeral service held on 19Apr1983 at Norwood Park Crematorium; awarded Commendation for Distinguished Service in Vietnam, posthumously (see above).

With copies of Gazette pages and other research.