Orders, Decorations & Medals - Aust. Groups

Lot 3204    SESSION 13 (2.30PM THURSDAY 25TH MARCH)    Orders, Decorations & Medals - Aust. Groups

Estimate $1,200
Bid at live.noble.com.au
SOLD $1,600

GROUP OF FOUR TO POW KILLED: 1939-45 Star; Pacific Star; War Medal 1939-45; Australia Service Medal 1939-45. NGX471 W.J.Evans. All impressed. Extremely fine and rare group.

Sgt William John Evans (NG4009 New Guinea Volunteer Regt); Enl.21Jan1942 at NG using CMF forms; Tfr to AIF 22Jan1942 and allotted NGX471; MIA 22Jan1942; now reported POW in Rabaul no date given; drowned when on board the Japanese ship Montevideo Maru, unmarked as a POW ship, when it was sunk on 01Jul1942; medals issued to widow at Melbourne on 10Jun1953.

The sinking of the Montivideo Maru is considered the worst maritime disaster in Australia's history. Because she was not marked as a POW vessel she was hit by four American torpedoes fired from the submarine, USS Sturgeon, and sank within 11 minutes. All the 1,054 POWs on board died as well as some civilian miners and the Japanese guards and only about 20 of the Japanese crew survived.

With short research note.