Lot 2213

Description

Group of Six: 1939-45 Star; Africa Star; Pacific Star; Defence Medal 1939-45; War Medal 1939-45; Australia Service Medal 1939-45. NX47863 A.Wright on second medal, NX47863 A.T.Wright on other medals. All medals impressed. In medal folder, very fine.

Together with a pair of 2nd AIF unit colour patches.

Private Alfred Thomas Wright, linesman, born 14Mar1904 at London, England; Enl.04Sep1940 at Newcastle, NSW and allotted to 2/30 Infy Bn; Emb.09Apr1941 for Middle East service; to 2/2 Bn 24May1941 in Palestine; to A Coy 2/1 HQ Guard Bn 15Oct1941 in support of 9th Div including operations at El Alamein; RTA 25Feb1943; Emb.19Apr1944 from Townsville for operations in Lae, New Guinea; 26May1944 injured while on guard duty when he tripped over a jungle creeper and fell onto a coconut lying on the ground, resulting in a fractured rib; RTA 03Aug1944, to Hay Prisoner of War Group 30Oct1944; attached to 1 Field Trials Unit in Queensland 29Mar-08May1945; to War Graves Depot 23Mar1946 at Concord Hospital; to Royal Military College, Duntroon 25Jun1947; Disch.15Jul1948 and to Interim Army (Serial no. NP84259) for Ground Staff duties, Victoria Barracks, Paddington, Sydney.

When Alfred Wright received his medals in 1950 he was not issued with the Africa Star despite service in the Middle East. He wrote a letter pointing out that he was entitled to the Africa Star with 8th Army Clasp. Subsequently the Africa Star was issued to him and hence the slightly different naming on the medal which only has his first initial. He is entitled to the 8th Army Clasp but that is not with the group. It is unknown whether it was issued and lost or never issued.

With research.