Lot 2386

Description

Group of Five to Rat of Tobruk DOW at El Alamein: 1939-45 Star; Africa Star - clasp - 8th Army; Defence Medal 1939-45; War Medal 1939-45; Australia Service Medal 1939-45. NX18850 A.C.Rattenbury. All medals impressed. Swing mounted, very fine.

Private Arthur Charles Rattenbury, labourer, born 31Mar1917 at Moonee Ponds, Victoria; Enl.30May1940 at Paddington, NSW to 2/13 Infy Bn, 20 Bde, 7 Div at Ingleburn; AWOL 20-22Jul1940; Emb.19Oct1940 to Middle East; operations in North Africa from 28Feb1941 including Tobruk Siege; 03-14Aug1941 sick with fever 2/4th Aust Gen Hosp; 15Jan1942 garrison duty Syria; AWOL 28Apr1942; 03-16Jul1942 sick with dyspepsia 2/6 Aust Gen Hosp; WIA near El Alamein and DOW 29Oct1942; buried El Alamein War Cemetery, Egypt; on Roll of Honour at Coburg, Victoria. The 2/13 Bn (Devil's Own) was the first complete Australian unit to fight German troops during WWII in the battle at Er Regima on 04Apr1940 and was the last remaining battalion at Tobruk when the siege was lifted. The battalion fought in the Battle of El Alamein from 23Oct-05Nov1942. With research.