Lot 2313

Description

Group of Seven: 1914-18 Star; British War Medal 1914-18; Victory Medal; 1939-45 Star; Pacific Star; British War Medal 1939-45; Australia Service Medal 1939-45. 618 Pte W.P.Austin 5/Bn A.I.F. on first medal, Lieut W.P.Austin A.I.F. on second and third medals, NX35677 W.P.Austin on remaining four medals. Impressed. Very fine.

William Piercy Austin. Enl.17Aug1914 RTA.22Apr1919 Together with ANZAC medallion, cased, commission certificates, R.S.L. and P.O.W. Association, Returned from Active Service badges, photos, silver bracelet, newspaper clippings, letters, telegram from the Minister of Defence stating Gunner Austin a P.O.W. Pte W.P.Austin sailed on the troopship 'Orantes' 22/23 November 1914 with the 5th Battalion Machine Gun Coy, landed Egypt 27/12/1914, and was at the landing of Gallipoli and remained there until just before the evacuation. In 1940 he re-enlisted with the A.I.F. as a member of the 2/15 Field Regiment RAA. Austin landed in Singapore in 1941, was taken prisoner by the Japanese in 1942 and interned in Changi gaol. Later he worked on the infamous Burma railway line. Returned to Australia in 1945, he spent time at the Heidelberg Repatriation Hospital.