Australian Groups

Lot 2519    SESSION 17 (11.30AM FRIDAY 25TH NOV)    Australian Groups

Estimate $700
Bid at live.noble.com.au
SOLD $1,500

GROUP OF EIGHT TO POW: British War Medal 1914-18; Victory Medal 1914-19; 1939-45 Star; Pacific Star; Defence Medal 1939-45; War Medal 1939-45; Australia Service Medal 1939-45, Jubilee Medal 1935. Lieut. H.Grabham. on first two medals, WX3281 R.H.A.Grabham on third to seventh medals, last medal unnamed as issued. All named medals impressed. Swing mounted in two groups of four, a few ribbons damaged, otherwise very fine - good very fine.

Award of Jubilee Medal 1935 confirmed to Major Robert Harold Auld Grabham.

Robert Harold Auld Grabham, born 08Apr1896 at Petersham, Sydney, NSW; WWI served with Worcestershire Regt; trfd to Machine Gun Corps 22Nov1915; to Lieut 22Dec1916; to Capt. Feb1918; to Major Sept 1918 - 20Mar1920; commissioned as Major on Reserve of Officers 24Sep1934; Deputy Asst Director Transport (Motor Transport) HQ 5th District Board (Perth) 10Nov1934 to 31Oct1938 and then to 30Jun1939; WWII: Enl. cJuly1939 in full time Militia; Appt'd Major Western Command Supply Depot at Kaaakatta, WA; Disch.14May1940 due to age; Re-Enl.28May1940 as Private, stating birth date as 04Aug1900; Emb.16Apr1941 as Staff Sgt 2/3rd MG Bn; ops in Palestine and Syria; promoted to WO and then Lieut from 24Feb1942; Disemb.18Feb1942 at Batavia; MIA 07Mar1942; reported POW 08Jun1942 by Japanese radio; confirmed as POW 15Oct1943; in POW No.3 Camp, Nike, Thailand 01Feb1944; found alive in Siam 20Aug1945 and evacuated to Singapore; Disemb.11Oct1945 at Sydney, NSW; Disch.08Jan1946.

Robert H.A.Grabham was appointed a Major in 1918 and in 1936 held a position on the transport section of the headquarters staff of the local militia. He was also superintendent of Yellow Cabs (W.A.) Ltd in August 1933 had been appointed secretary of the West Australian Aero Club, and in September 1934 he was in charge of preparations for the arrival of Air Commodore Sir Charles Kingsford Smith at Perth from Sydney.

He retired from his secretarial position at the end of September 1936 due to work commitments. He still retained his connection with the club and in 1937 was in charge of the encampment organised by the Royal Aero Club of W.A. which conducted the camp for 36 boys from Perth colleges and schools who were interested in becoming aviators. He was also involved in various military groups and in 1937 was chairman of the Naval and Military Club and in 1938 was on the committee of the West Australian Anzac Club and also the ex-Machine Gunners' Association.

With copy of WWII Service File and a large amount of other research.