Lot 4337

Description

Group of Sixteen: Military Medal (GVIR) (Indiae Imp); 1939-45 Star; Africa Star, - one clasp - North Africa 1942-43; Italy Star; War Medal 1939-45; New Zealand War Service Medal 1939-45; New Zealand Operational Service Medal; New Zealand Service Medal 1946-49; Coronation Medal (EIIR) 1953; Long Service & Good Conduct (Military) Medal - New Zealand suspension bar; Greek Commemorative Medal of the War of 1940-41 (Army); BCOF Medal; North Africa Service Medal, - one clasp - Libya; Hors De Combat Medal (Wound Medal); Restoration of Peace Medal, - two clasps - Greece, Italy. 24232 Pte. W.J.Pirimona 2NZEF 45 on first medal, 24232. Pte. W.J.Pirimona on eleventh medal, W.J.Pirimona on thirteenth medal, W.J.Pirimona 24232 A.N.Z. on fifteenth medal, W.J.Pirimona 24232 N.Z.A. on last medal, all other medals unnamed. First medal impressed, other named medals pantographed, the eleventh with some ghosting or doubling on first three numbers. Court mounted, in presentation case, extremely fine.

Private William James Pirimona, age 24, carpenter of Posonby, Auckland; Enl.15May1940; Service and Pay Book records indicate 4 Service Chevrons, Wound Stripe 16Apr1941, Wound Stripe 13Dec1941; MM 28Nov1945 Operation Crusade, Sidi Rezegh, Tobruk, Libya; Disch.03Apr1946 at Wellington, New Zealand. MM 29 Nov 1945 (5790), Recommendation by Lt Col C Shuttleworth, CO 24 NZ Battalion, approved by Lt Gen B.C.Freyberg, Commanding 2NZEF; 'This soldier was an outstanding despatch rider in Greece until he was seriously injured in an accident during a night move. He recovered in time to rejoin the Battalion for the campaign in Libya in November 1941. He again rendered outstanding service as a despatch rider, in spite of the pain caused by his previous injuries, until he was physically incapable of riding his motorcycle. He was then employed as a linesman in which capacity he again rendered valuable service. On the occasion of an enemy attack on the Battalion position at Sidi Rezegh on 28 November, he repaired the line from the Battalion Signal Centre to the Observation Post under heavy small arms and artillery fire. Although five officers had been killed or wounded in this locality, he undertook the duty at a time when fire was particularly heavy and completed it in entire disregard of the danger to which he was exposing himself.' Together with official letter from New Zealand Minister of Defence dated 30th November 1945 conveying the Prime Minister's congratulations on the award of the MM; Certificate of Discharge; Soldier's Service and Pay Books; other research papers.