Lot 5329

Description

Group of Six: Military Cross (GRI); 1914-15 Star; British War Medal 1914-18; Victory Medal 1914-19; War Medal 1939-45; Australia Service Medal 1939-45. Duplicate on first medal, 5 J.Gray on second, third and fourth medals, last two medals unnamed. First, third and fourth medals impressed, second medal engraved. Extremely fine.

Lieutenant John Gray, Station Hand, Enl.16Mar1915; Emb.06Jul1915; recommended for Military Medal 25Sep1916; awarded Military Cross 1918 for action in Oct1917 at Ypres; presented with MC by the King at Buckingham Palace 25Jun1918; RTA 30Jun1918; Appointment in AIF terminated as medically unfit. MM citation: ’For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. Conveying ammunition to forward positions in daylight, his party was heavily shelled crossing an exposed ridge. Although badly wounded he collected his party and pushed on leading two packhorses himself. When nearing his destination his party came under heavy enemy Machine Gun fire and he was wounded again. He delivered the ammunition and then went back and collected the cases from he horses killed by Machine Gun fire. He set a splendid example to all ranks.’ WWII: Enl.12Mar1942 in 7 Bn Vol Defence Corps, part-time duty; Disch.30Sep1945. Australia Service Medal 1939-45 only entitlement. Together with Appointment document as officer in Land Forces dated 8/11/1918 addressed to J.Gray, Second Lieutenant, 19th Australian Infantry Battalion (New South Wales); Appointment as officer of the Citizen Air Force from 29th day of October 1943 date 1/9/44 addressed to John Gray; both documents laminated; Court Circular for Buckingham Palace presentation; Letter of Congratulations from W R Birdwood (General) on award of Military Cross; letter from Military Forces of the Commonwealth 2nd MD advising of termination of appointment in AIF as medically unfit; AMF Volunteer Defence Force Certificate of Discharge; leather wallet marked inside ’Lieut. J.Gray’. Medals as acquired from family with replacements. With research.