Lot 3628

Description

Group of four: Distinguished Service Order (GVR); 1914-15 Star; British War Medal 1914-18; Victory Medal 1914-19 with MID Captain F.L.Biddle 2/F.A.Bde A.I.F. on Star, Major F.L.Biddle A.I.F. on last two medals. Named medals impressed. Extremely fine.

DSO: LG 14/11/1916. 'For Conspicuous gallantry during three days ofoperations, as Liason Officer he did fine work, and when his telephone lines were repeatedly cut passed through the barrage to telephone stations of other units in order to get his information through. He was himself wounded on the last day'.

MID: CAG 29/6/1917 'For distinguished and gallant services and devotion to duty in the field'.

Major Frederick Leslie Biddle; Enl.19Aug1914 4th Battery 2 AFA Bde; WIA 25Jul1916 France, GSW forehead; 16Aug1917 Belgium, DOW received in action 17Aug1917; Buried Brandhoek New Military Cemetery near Vlamertinghe.

Frederick Biddle joined the Australian F.A.(Militia) in 1904, served with the A.I.F. in the Europe war, seconded from the Australian Field Artillery, served in Gallipoli remaining at Anzac until the Peninsula was evacuated, was promoted Major 1916. His DSO was awarded for gallantry on 23-24 July 1916, at Pozieres. He was wounded in action (second time) in Belgium on 16 August 1917 and admitted to 32nd Casualty Clearing Station, where he died the following day.

Biddle was one of the evacuation officers when the Australian troops left Gallipoli, and was in the last boat to leave Anzac Cove.

Mentioned in Bean Vol II p160, 368; Vol III p555.