Lot 4557

Description

Group of Six to ship captain: 1939-45 Star; Pacific Star; Defence Medal 1939-45; War Medal 1939-45; Australia Service Medal 1939-45; Naval General Service Medal (GVIR Fid:Dei), - clasp - S.E.Asia 1945-46. H.K.Dwyer R.A.N.V.R. on first five medals, Lt-Cdr. H.K.Dwyer R.A.N.V.R. on last medal. All medals impressed. Court mounted, very fine - extremely fine.

Less than 200 Naval General Service Medals, - clasp - S.E.Asia 1945-46 issued to Australians.

In September 1945 Lt-Cdr Dwyer in command of corvette HMAS Rockhampton was part of the occupation force following the repatriation of the surviving Gull Force POWs and the Japanese surrender at the island of Ambon.

Herbert Kennedy Dwyer, born 14Jun1907 at Brisbane, Queensland; home port, Sydney; 01Apr1932 Sub Lt on probation; 01Jul1933 Sub LT; 02Oct1933 Commission issued; 15May1935 Lt; 03Sep1939 mobilzed for war service; 31Dec1943 Lt Cdr; sea going service on various ships; 28Feb1944 HMAS Warrnambool in command (temporary); 10Feb1945 HMAS Rockhampton in command; Jul1947 LST3017 in command; 10Dec1948 HMAS Tarakan in command; 17Oct1952 HMAS Woomera in command;

01Jul1957 Court Martial by court composed of Capt V.A.Smith DSC, ADC; Capt F.L.George; Capt R.J.Robertson DSC; Capt G.J.B.Crabb DSC; Commander F.G.Crowther; crime was stealing four bags of scrap metal belonging to the Commonwealth and landing a quantity of alcohol without paying excise duty; 16Jul1957 guilty of fraudulent conduct and neglect to the prejudice of good order and naval discipline. Sentenced to be dismissed with disgrace from H.M.Service and to suffer the consequent penalties involved; members of the Court Martial considered that although proper legal penalties were awarded there was a strong moral case for reducing the penalties;02Jul1957 dismissed with disgrace.

With research.