Lot 3833

Description

Group of Four: Distinguished Service Order (GVR); 1914-15 Star; British War Medal 1914-18 with MID emblem; Victory Medal 1914-19. First medal unnamed, 2/Lieut, T.H.Bird, 7/L.H.Rgt. A.I.F. on second medal, Major T.H.Bird. A.I.F. on third and fourth medals. All medals impressed. Small crown on reverse of DSO has some verdigris, otherwise good very fine.

Together with original riband bar with MID emblem; Rising Sun hat badge, half of slide bar missing; Major's metal crown, oxidised; 7LHR hat badge (also worn as shoulder title); research. DSO, LG 01Jan1918, p.27,posn.2; CAG 18Apr1918, p.846, posn.32. Recommendation: "Major Bird was in charge of the advance Squadron of the Advance Guard to the ANZAC Mtd. Division on the 26th of March 1917. It was largely due to his dash and the skilful handling of his Squadron that a Turkish Divisional Commander was captured. His steady and determined advances brushed aside all opposition until the country to the North of Gaza was made good as far as the sea, thus cutting off Gaza completely from the North. When the withdrawal took place his squadron was in close contact with the Turks between the town of Gaza and the sea and it was due to his handling that the withdrawal was unobserved.On the night of the 19/20th of April he did very good work on the Outpost Line. Again on the 24th April, owing to the skilful handling of his squadron, a troop of Turkish Cavalry was captured East of Wadi Gruzze. He left Australia with the Regiment as a Troop Leader and served with this Regiment at Gallipoli and in the Sinai Campaign. His work has been consistently good since joining the A.I.F." Award Citation: "For distinguished service in the Field." MID, LG 14Jan1918, Second Supplement, No.30474; CAG, No.76, 23May1918. "In accordance with the concluding paragraph of my despatch, dated 28th June 1917, I have the honor to submit herwith the name of the undermentioned, whose name I wish to bring to your notice for gallant or distinguished conduct in the field, or for other valuable services:- Major T.H.Bird D.S.O." Thomas Harold Bird, grazier, born 10Apr1888, Gresford, N.S.W.; CMF service with 6LHR; Enl. in AIF 14Nov1914 as 2/Lieutenant; Emb.19Dec1914; Lieutenant 01May1915; arrived ANZAC 30Jul1915; T/Captain 29Sep1915; revert to Lieutenant 01Dec1915; Captain 12Mar1916; Major 07Sep1916; to Cavalry School of Instruction 05Oct1916; DSO 01Jan1918; MID 14Jan1918; to School of Instruction 07Mar1918; RTA via H.T.Karagola; performance review by J.D.Richardson, OC, 7LHR, 29Jan1919, "A thoroughly efficient and reliable officer. He is capable of commanding a regiment and has been temporarily in command of this Regiment on many occasions." Campaigns: Gallipoli, Sinai, Palestine.