Lot 4159

Description

King's Gold Medal, Royal Australian Naval College, in gold (22ct;57g; 45mm), inscribed, 'Warwick Seymour Bracegirdle. 1928'. Hairlines, otherwise extremely fine.

Warwick Seymour Bracegirdle was the son of Lady Lilian Anne Saunders and Rear Admiral Sir Leighton Seymour Bracegirdle (married 19 Dec 1910), who served in various campaigns, was multi decorated and Official Secretary to four Australian Governor-Generals, namely Sir Isaac Isaacs, Lord Gowrie, the Duke of Gloucester and William McKell.

Commander Warwick 'Braces' Bracegirdle was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross on three occasions. The first was during the Second World War while in the Mediterranean on HMAS Perth when he was almost killed as the ammunition ship Clan Fraser exploded while he was trying to tow a lighter clear during a bombing raid. The award was in recognition of 'his personal courage and determination'.

From 1942 to 1945 he was gunnery officer in HMAS Shropshire when he received another DSC for his 'gallantry and skill' at Leyte Gulf in October 1944. He was also twice mentioned in despatches.

During the Korean War he commanded HMAS Bataan and in 1952 was awarded his third DSC. Warwick Bracegirdle also received the United States Legion of Merit for his service in the Korean War.