Lot 3844

Description

Efficiency Decoration to eminent physician, EIIR, Australia brooch suspender, with second and third bars. 3123264 Lt.Col. B.Clerehan CMF on reverse of medal, B.Clerehan on reverse of each bar. Engraved. Apparently there were only 47 recipients of the third bar for the QEII issue of this decoration, extremely fine and rare.

Together with case of issue; biography as recorded by The Royal Australasian College of Physicians.

Brian Clerehan graduated from the University of Melbourne Medical School in 1942. After serving his residency at St Vincent's Hospital 1942-43 he transferred from the Melbourne University Rifles to the AIF and was posted to the Medical Corps with which unit he distinguished himself in New Guinea, serving as a Captain (VX91862) with 2 New Guinea Infantry Bn from October 1943 to December 1945. He was heavily involved in action at Lae, Finschhafen and Bougainville. After the war he maintained his association with the CMF becoming a Lt Colonel and at one stage was in charge of 6th Field Ambulance. Dr Brian Clerehan had a remarkable military and medical career as can be seen in the biography included with the lot.