Orders, Decorations & Medals - Australian Groups

Lot 4486    SESSION 18 (2.30PM FRIDAY 31ST MARCH)    Orders, Decorations & Medals - Australian Groups

Estimate $3,000
Bid at live.noble.com.au
SOLD $3,200

MM GROUP OF SEVEN: Military Medal (GVIR Indiae Imp); 1939-45 Star; Africa Star, - clasp - 8th Army; Pacific Star; Defence Medal 1939-45; War Medal 1939-45; Australia Service Medal 1939-45. SX8099 Cpl R W Langford (sic) A Mil F (Replacement) on first medal, SX8099 R.W.Langsford on other medals. All medals impressed. Good very fine - uncirculated.

Together with b&w photo of R W Langsford in uniform.^^Original Military Medal received from London 29 June 1945 and due to his being killed-in-action it was presented to his next-of-kin, his mother, Mrs Bessie Langsford by the Governor of South Australia at Government House, Adelaide on 15 February 1946. This medal was later destroyed during the Black Friday bushfires in South Australia and on proof of the loss this replacement medal was supplied by the Government together with his previously six unclaimed service medals.^^MM: LG 14/10/1943, page 4548; CAG 6/1/1944, page 6, to Corporal Reginald Wilfred Langsford, 2/32nd Aust Infy Bn.^^Citation: During the whole of operations at El Alamein Langsford was noticeable for his devotion to duty, complete disregard for personal safety and intelligent handling of his cable detachment. As the result of his careful reconnaissance and excellent appreciation of the problems concerning maintenance of lines under his control, communications by line were maintained despite heavy shell fire and continuous tank movement. During Western Desert operations Langsford gave service of a conspicuously high order and accomplished all tasks allotted to him, despite great difficulties which were encountered on many occasions.^^Reginald Wilfred Langsford, technical assistant, age 22, born at Malvern, Sth Aust; Enl.06Jul1940 at Adelaide, Sth Aust, in Aust Sigs; to L/Cpl 27Jul1940; Emb.26Dec1940; to A/Cpl 26Dec1940; to Middle East 29Jan1941; to Cpl 26Dec1941; RTA 27Jan1943; to Milne Bay 06Aug1943; to A/Sgt 13Jan1944; on 09Jun1944 while receiving treatment at 105 AMH from an anxiety state, Cpl Langsford climbed a ladder on a chimney stack and accidentally fell about 60 feet resulting in his death - a Court of Inquiry found there was no proof that it was not an accident although the probabilities of this being deliberate were high; Commemorated at Adelaide (Centennial Park) Cemetery.^^With copy of Service File and other research.