Australian Groups

Lot 2557    SESSION 17 (11.30AM FRIDAY 25TH NOV)    Australian Groups

Estimate $2,000
Bid at live.noble.com.au
SOLD $1,600

MBE GROUP OF SIX: The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (Member) (Military) (type 2); Australian Active Service Medal 1945-1975 (copy), - clasp - Vietnam; Vietnam Medal 1964-1973; Defence Force Service Medal; National Medal (copy); Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, - clasp - 1960-. First medal unnamed as issued, second medal unnamed, 0218723 Taylor K.J. on third medal, K.J.Taylor 0216723 on fourth medal, fifth medal unnamed, Taylor K.J. on last medal. All named medals engraved except the last which is pantograph engraved. Court mounted, extremely fine.

Ex Noble Numismatics Sale 60 (lot 4187) group of four excluding Australian Active Service Medal and National Medal. The vendor has added copies of these medals to the group.

Together with book, 'Mission Vietnam, Royal Australian Air Force Operations 1964-1972', by George Odgers. Mentioned on page 24, 'Wing Commander Scott who had the key responsibility of leading the first Australian helicopter squadron into action was the RAAF's most experienced helicopter pilot. He had first flown a helicopter in 1951 (the Sikorsky S-51) and in 1964, accompanied by engineer officer Flight Lieutenant K.J.Taylor, had visited Borneo and Vietnam.'. Then mentioned again on page 129, 'RAAF helicopter maintenance methods were demonstrated to Vietnamese Air Force parties. Squadron Leader Keith Taylor of Canberra, the squadron's Senior Engineer Officer said that the Vietnamese were particularly impressed by the RAAF serviceability rate.'; copy of Honours and Awards Citation for MBE; RAAF Interim Certificate of Discharge 29Aug75; two metal plates (approx 14.5x15cm) with painted shield marked, 'No 1/ADG FLT/(image of a white bird landing)/RICHMOND', and on the back is painted a lobster with 1 above (ADG is Airfield Defence Guards or 'Adgies' as they are nicknamed).

MBE: LG 1/1/1964, p36; CAG 16/1/1964, p229, in New Year Honours to Flight Lieutenant Keith James Taylor, RAAF.

Citation: Flight Lieutenant Taylor is an engineer officer in the Royal Australian Air Force and is currently serving with No. 9 Helicopter Squadron. During flood rescue operations carried out in south-west Queensland from 31st March to 3rd April, 1963, Flight Lieutenant Taylor volunteered to act as third crewmember aboard Iroquois helicopter A2-387.

As third crewmember, Flight Lieutenant Taylor was lowered by the aircraft's rescue hoist onto rooftops and into deep water to render aid and assist fifty-two people trapped by flood waters. On some occasions it was necessary to lower him a distance of 60-70 feet through or in close proximity to trees, high tension lines, and radio antennas. In addition, on numerous occasions he was hoisted aboard carrying small children in his arms. Flight Lieutenant Taylor willingly carried out these tasks and his firm but tactful handling of the people in distress was of immense value to the successful completion of rescue operations.

In recognition of his meritorious service.

National Medal: Awarded 14/7/1977 to Squadron Leader Keith James Taylor; also awarded 1st clasp on same date.

Keith James Taylor, born 01Dec1927 at Brisbane, Qld; Enl.23Nov1957; served in the RAAF as an aeronautical engineer rising through the ranks to Squadron Leader; Served in Vietnam with No. 2 Sqn 07Jul1964; No. 9 Sqn Detachment A 03May-11Jun1966; No. 9 Sqn 12Jun1966-03Apr1967; No. 9 Sqn 04Mar-04Dec1970; Disch.29Aug1975 for early retirement; Mustering on discharge was Aeronautical Engineer.