Lot 4200

Description

Group of Six: Distinguished Conduct Medal (GVIR) Indiae Imp; 1939-45 Star; Africa Star; Defence Medal 1939-45; War medal 1939-45; Australia Service Medal 1939-45. WX1944. Pte. H.Richards. AIF. on first medal, WX1944 H.Richards on second - sixth medals. All medals impressed. Court mounted, no suspension pin, extremely fine.

DCM LG 30/12/1941 Citation: On 29th May 41, at Crete, Pte Richards assisted and half carried Sgt. Kilpatrick, a hospital patient, across the Island to the beach at Sphakia. When invited by the Beach Staff to go off with Kilpatrick and be evacuated, he refused, saying that he would go back and get someone else who could not walk. On 1st June, having been left behind after the evacuation, Pte Richards recovered an invasion barge which had been abandoned by the navy, collected a party of 50, including two Marine Officers, took charge (with the concurrence of the Officers), laid in supplies of food and water at Favdos Island, effected repairs after the barge had been damaged on a reef, travelled 80 miles until the petrol gave out, rigged a sail with blankets, naviigated to Sidi Barrani and landed the whole party in good heart and condition on 9th June. Pte Richards is a farmer. Harry Richards, Farm Hand, Perth, Enl.26Mar1940; served in the Middle East fighting through the desert campaign to Benghazi, then to Greece and Crete, where he was awarded the DCM for his deeds during the evacuation; later disciplined and court martialled several times for using abusive language to a superior until eventually placed under AMRO report of 'Anxiety State'; Disch.17Nov1944. With extensive research including a copy of the complete log kept by Richards as commanding officer of the barge he named M.V.Leaving and also a copy of a citation dated 10th November 1943 for his outstanding services rendered on behalf of the Fourth Liberty Loan Campaign.