Orders, Decorations & Medals - Australian Groups

Lot 2158    SESSION 11 (9.30AM THURSDAY 31ST MARCH)    Orders, Decorations & Medals - Australian Groups

Estimate $2,500
Bid at live.noble.com.au
SOLD $4,000

DCM TRIO TO WIA: Distinguished Conduct Medal (GVR type 1); British War Medal 1914-18; Victory Medal 1914-19. 5141 Pte G.Mitchell. 59/Aust:Inf:Bn: on first medal, 5141 Pte. G.Mitchell. 57-Bn. A.I.F. on last two medals. All medals impressed. Court mounted, hairlines otherwise very fine.

DCM: LG 3/3/1917, p2202; CAG 25/7/1917, p1545, to Pte George Mitchell, 59 Aust Infy Bn.

Recommendation (by Brig Gen H.E. 'Pompey' Elliott, commanding 15th Infy Bde): Between Millers Son Post and Zenith Trench on the night of 13th/14th December 1916 Private Mitchell displayed great bravery and devotion to duty. He was acting as runner between Millers Son Post and front line, and left Millers Son Post in company with Pte. Rowley, both of them carrying despatches for various points in the front line. On the way they were caught in a heavy enemy barrage and a shell bursting just in front of them, they jumped into a small trench near by, when a second shell fell, killing Private Rowley and burying Private Mitchell. Private Mitchell succeeded in releasing himself and although the bombardment was still going on searched Private Rowley, took the despatches from his pocket and delivered them as well as his own to the officers concerned. He then continued on and acted as a guide to "B" Company which was being relieved from the line. After seeing the Company safely to their position he returned with his receipts and the private effects of Private Rowley to Millers Son Post, and immediately collapsed. Private Mitchell's act prevented greatest confusion in the relief and was most probably instrumental in saving lines as his despatches contained orders relative to the relief and the enemy barrage was particularly heavy.

Pte G.Mitchell, 59Bn, was one of several officers and men of the 5th Australian Division presented with decoration ribbons by Lieut-General Sir W.R.Birdwood, K.C.S.I., K.C.M.G., C.B., C.I.E., D.S.O., Commanding 1st A.N.Z.A.C. on 13th April 1917.

George Mitchell, baker, age 24, born at Clunes, Vic; Enl.26Jan1916 at A.I.F. Recruiting Depot, Town Hall, Melbourne, Vic; Emb.01Apr1916 with 16th Reinf 5Bn; TOS 57Bn 19May1916; to France 21Jun1916; TOS 59Bn 23Jul1916; to 15 LTMB 17Apr1917; WIA 03May1917 by GSW to back causing fractured spine, dangerously ill, France; admitted to 3rd A.C.C.S. 03May1917; to 9th General Hospital, Rouen 05May1917; to 4th Southern General Hospital, Plymouth 18May1917; RTA 25Nov1917; Disch.11Jul1918 Medically Unfit; Died 12Apr1973 at the Anzac Hostel, Clunes, Vic.