Australian Singles

Lot 1490    SESSION 6 (9.30AM TUESDAY 31ST AUGUST)    Australian Singles

Estimate $140
Bid at live.noble.com.au
SOLD $150

VICTORY MEDAL 1914-19. 2486 Cpl. G.M.Penrose 7 L.H.R. A.I.F.; another named to 4577 A-CQMS. G.W.Nichols. 4 Bn. A.I.F. Both medals impressed. Two single medals, both without ribbons, very fine.

Gordon Mitchell Penrose, farmer, age 21, born at Casterton, Vic; Enl.13Jan1916 at Narrabri, NSW; Emb.26Apr1916; TOS 2LHTR 21Jun1916 at Tel-el-Kebir; to 7LHR 22Jul1916; to temp shoeing smith 03Oct1916; to shoeing smith 13Nov1916; detached to Mobile Vet Section 08Sep1917; appt'd shoeing smith 10Jun1918; to L/Cpl 12Jul1918; to hospital with malaria 01Sep1918; rejoined unit with EEF 17Oct1918; to T/Cpl 08Nov1918; to Cpl 16Feb1919; granted leave 25May-24Aug1919 for farming study in England; RTA 22Sep1919; Disemb.12Nov1919; Disch.05Jan1920.

Tragically Gordon Mitchell Penrose died on a property 8 miles from Gunnedah on 2 February 1948. Gordon, aged 53, was on a bed on the front verandah with a bullet wound to the temple, shot by his wife who was being treated for mental issues relating to a 'poverty complex', although their financial position was sound. After killing her husband Mrs Elsie Penrose is believed to have put the rifle between her knees and pulled the trigger with her right big toe, shooting herself in the mouth. The inquest found that Mrs Penrose while insane, shot her husband in his sleep and then shot herself.

George William Nichols, chemist, age 27, born at St George, Leeds, Yorkshire, England; Enl.05Sep1915 at Holdsworthy, NSW; Emb.03Feb1916 4Bn; to BEF with 4Bn 20Mar1916; To A/Sgt 29Oct1916 in France; to A/CQMS at Machine Gun Corps Section at Camiers 04Dec1916; reverts to Pte 24Oct1917; RTA 21Dec1917; Disch.21Mar1918 medically unfit due to rheumatism.