Orders, Decorations & Medals - Aust. Groups

Lot 3168    SESSION 13 (2.30PM THURSDAY 25TH MARCH)    Orders, Decorations & Medals - Aust. Groups

Estimate $3,500
Bid at live.noble.com.au
SOLD $3,000

GROUP OF FOUR: 1914-15 Star; British War Medal 1914-18; Victory Medal 1914-19; Royal Shipwreck Relief & Humane Society of N.S.W. Bronze Medal. 103 Pte A.L.Ogilvy. 1/F.C.Eng A.I.F. on first medal, 103 ER/WO (2) A.L.Ogilvy. 1.F C.Eng. A.I.F on second medal, 103 ER-WO. 2. A.L.Ogilvy. 1-F.C.E. A.I.F. on third medal, Archie L.Ogilvy/for saving Life/Manly/25th April 1923. The first three medals impressed, the last medal engraved. Some spotting on second medal, ribbons on first three medals damaged, all medals toned, otherwise very fine - good very fine.

Ex Noble Numismatics Sale 54 (lot 4259).

Together with Anzac Commemorative Medallion, 1915, issued in 1967, in bronze (50x75mm) (C.1915/3), named to A.L.Ogilvy; Anzac Commemorative lapel badge, 1915, issued in 1967, in bronze, reverse numbered '7/1438' (?); MDRUFC (Manly District Rugby Union Football Club), gold fob medal (25mm; tested as 9ct; 5.96g), with scroll suspension, obverse inscribed, 'N.S.W.1913/A.I.F. 1918' and the reverse inscribed, 'Hon. Life Member/A.Ogilvy/1928'.

RSR&HS Medal: Case number 1923/43 - Archie Leslie Ogilvy D.C.M. (sic - see note below) awarded Bronze Medal for actions involving a drowning rescue at Manly on the 25th April 1923.

Details of the Incident: On the 25th April 1923 Mr Ogilvy, an Anzac, was proceeding to the Anzac Memorial Celebrations when his notice was attracted by a lad on the cargo wharf, Manly, calling out and waving his arms. It appears a boy named George R. Stuart, whilst in a fit - to which he is subject - fell from the wharf into about 20 feet of water. Mr Ogilvy climbed the gate leading to the wharf, and throwing off his coat, dived in and brought the boy to a cross beam under the wharf, where he supported him until assistance arrived. This action is rendered more meritorious by the fact that Mr Ogilvy suffers from a weak heart, due to his active service during the world war.

Reported in The Sydney Morning Herald, Thursday 26 Apr 1923, p6 - Gallant Rescue - While fishing from a beam beneath the Manly cargo wharf yesterday George Raymond Stuart, a youth, residing in Darcy-avenue, Lidcombe, fell into the harbour. Sergeant A.L.Ogilvy D.C.M. (sic - see note below), who was attending the memorial service then about to commence dived, fully clothed, into the water and rescued the youth, who was brought to the shore in a state of exhaustion.

The medal to Archie Ogilvy was one of those presented at the annual meeting of the society held at the Sydney Town Hall on Monday night 17 September 1923. The vice-chairman, Commander F.W.Hixson, presided and the presentations were made by Mrs Green, wife of Captain S.G.Green, the chairman of the society.

Archie Leslie Ogilvy, marine engineer, age 27, born at Manly, Sydney, NSW; Enl.19Aug1914 at Sydney, NSW in No.1 Field Coy Engrs; Emb.18Oct1914; served at Gallipoli, Egypt, France and England with 1 Fd Coy, 14 Fd Coy and 4 Fd Coy; WIA 20Jun1915 gas poisoning, Gallipoli; WIA 02Aug1915 at Gallipoli, GSW finger and transferred to 1 ACCS Anzac; reduced to ranks 13Jul1916 for drunkenness and failing to report for parade; WIA 08Aug1916, buried in a dugout and timber fell across right leg fracturing tibula, France; married on 23Mar1917 to English-born Bertha Helen Peel at The Wesleyan Chapel, Brightlingsea, Essex, England (Aust Eng Depot was at Brightlingsea); to ER/CSM 01Dec1917; RTA 24Sep1918; Disch.?Jan1919.

Note: On 12 March 1920 Archie Ogilvy wrote a long letter to the Officer in charge of Base Records, Melbourne querying whether he was entitled to a Distinguished Conduct Medal as his pay-book showed that he received the award on 20 August 1916 (Medal No.914 - A.I.F. List 234, Signed, B.Cobcroft. A.A.P.C.), and that he had worn the ribbon ever since. Also he claimed there were other entries relating to his being a recipient of the award and other details supplied by him as to his entitlement. Unfortunately, after much investigation, he was advised that no record could be found of the award ever being made to him. This advice was given to him by letter on three occasions, on 15 March 1920, 31 March 1920 and again on 16 August 1920. It seems that he has ignored this because it appears that he has told The Royal Shipwreck Relief & Humane Society that he was the recipient of a Distinguished Conduct Medal otherwise why would they have the post nominal DCM after his name.