Lot 3530

Description

Group of Five; Military Medal (GVIR); 1939-45 Star; Pacific Star; British War Medal 1939-45; Australia Service Medal 1939-45. QX28150 Pte W.A.Bayliss A.I.F. on first medal, QX28150 W.A.Bayliss on all other medals. All medals impressed. Very fine.

Walter Alan Bayliss, Pte 2/7 Aust Inf Bn. Enl.03Feb1942 Drillham Qld, Dis.04Jul1944. MM.L.G.: 20Jan1944 'For outstanding gallantry and devotion to duty Aug '43. A. Coy 2/7 Aust Inf Bn in an advance against enemy positions on the Salamaua Komiatum track junction was caught in a defile with high ground on their flank and Francisco R on their left. Due to the intense fire and grenading they were subjected to the position became untenable and the Coy. was eventually forced to withdraw. Fighting that had continued throughout the afternoon had been heavy and close, dusk had fallen, secs had become isolated and the situation generally had become rather obscure. During the withdrawal the enemy launched a series of counter attacks from the right in an endeavour to cut off the Coy's line of withdrawal. Pte Bayliss, together with Pte Finn, both members of 8 Pl. A Coy. realising the seriousness of a breakthrough at this juncture decided to take up a position in an endeavour to stave off the attacks until the Coy had reached their new position. Dashing back to an amm. dump Pte Bayliss stuffed his shirt with grenades and with the words 'Its better that only two of us should go west than the whole Coy' ran back to the position taken up by Pte Finn. Despite the determined onslaught and overwhelming odds Pte Bayliss together with Pte Finn managed to hold off the enemy attack for over an hour, and only withdraw when Pte Finn had used all but ten rounds of his amm. and Bayliss himself thrown his last grenade. In this action Pte Bayliss displayed all the qualities of gallantry and devotion, worthy of the highest commendation and praise in the unselfish devotion he displayed towards his Coy'. Together with Australian Military Forces pay book, photograph and research, newspaper clipping.