Lot 4199

Description

Group of Eight: Military Cross (GRI); 1939-45 Star; Africa Star; Pacific Star; Defence Medal 1939-45; War Medal 1939-45 with MID emblem; Australia Service Medal 1939-45; Greece, Commemorative Medal of the War of 1940-41. 1941 on lower arm of cross, second - fourth medals unnamed, VX206 E.R.Wilmoth on fifth - seventh medals, last medal unnamed. First medal engraved, all other named medals impressed. Swing mounted. Good very fine.

MC LG 9/5/1941, position 2646 Citation: Courage and daring in adverse circumstances at Tobruk on 21 Jan 41. Recommendation (approved by General Wavell C-in-C Middle East 26/2/41): During the advance of his Company a counter attack with tanks was launched by the enemy and the Company was halted by heavy machine gun and shell fire from tanks. One tank secured a position behind a sandbagged gun emplacement and effectively screened itself from fire from anti tank rifles. Lieutenant Wilmoth worked his way around this emplacement and single handed threw grenades under the tank and silenced its fire, enabling the Company to continue its advance. This action had a great encouraging effect on the men who witnessed it. He displayed courage and daring in the most adverse circumstances and his initiative and leadership contributed in no small measure to the success of his Company's advance. MID Recommended 13/4/1945, LG 19/7/1945, CAG 19/7/1945 Citation: Distinguished services South-West Pacific Area. 2nd MID Recommended 24/6/1946, LG 6/3/1947, CAG 6/3/1947 Citation: Exceptional service in the field in S.W.P.A. Edward Russell Wilmoth, articled law clerk & radio announcer, Enl.14Mar1935, 1st Armoured Car Regt as Lieutenant on probation; 14Dec1938 confirmed Lieutenant; 13Oct1939 seconded to 2nd AIF as Lieutenant; served in Middle East, Greece, New Guinea, Netherlands East Indies; 1941 Captain, 1942 Temporary Major, 1943 Temporary Lt Colonel, 1944 GSO1 HQ 7 Aust Div, 1946 Lt Colonel; Disch.02Jan1946; as GSO HQ 7 Aust Div he chaired the conference that discussed surrender arrangements with Japanese envoys at Balikpapan, Borneo 05Sep1945; member of the party that accepted Japanese surrender from Vice Admiral M.Kamada, Commander 22 Naval Base Force, Imperial Japanese Navy on board HMAS Burdekin at sea off Balikpapan. With extensive research and photographs.