Lot 3687

Description

Group of Seven: Military Medal (GVIR); 1939-45 Star; Africa Star; Pacific Star; Defence Medal 1939-45; British War Medal 1939-45; Australia Service Medal 1939-45. First medal unnamed, QX2077 M.Groundwater on other medals. All named medals impressed. First medal a replica replacement, fine, remaining medals nearly very fine.

Together with Shell Australia On Active Service tribute medallion inscribed to M. Groundwater; original aluminium dog tag inscribed, 'QX2077/M.Groundwater'; 2/31st Battalion colour patch.

MM: LG 12/2/42. 'Outstanding bravery & dash at Jezzine on 23 June 41'.

Citation. 'This soldier made a successful reconnaissance early on the morning of 23rd June 1941 of the ground over which his Company subsequently advanced. In doing so he displayed great courage in the face of enemy fire. When later the Company advanced, Groundwater, with a companion were the advanced scouts. They occupied an enemy position and Groundwater mounted a light machine gun and engaged the enemy at a range of 15 to 20 yards not withstanding his being attacked with grenades. He personally accounted for at least six of the enemy. Later, on learning that an officer and two others were still pinned with fire, he again came forward, mounted his light machine gun in full view of the enemy and covered his companions' withdrawal. Groundwater has shown himself a determined fighter quite oblivious to his own safety. His outstanding bravery and dash has had a wonderful effect on the rest of the men.'

Only nine MM's awarded for Syria campaign.

Corporal Murray Groundwater, storeman clerk, born 04Feb1918 at Townsville, Queensland; Enl.04Nov1939 in 2/12th Bn, AIF; Emb.04May1940; Disembarked Gourock at United Kingdom and to 70th Battalion 10Jul1940 at Tidworth; operations Egypt with the 2/31st Bn 14May1941; operations Syria against the Vichy French from 08Jun1941; WIA 23Jun1941 shrapnel to the back and chest near Jezzine; awarded Military Medal 12Feb1942; to HQ 7th Division Signals 11Jul1943; Emb.26Jul1943 for Port Moresby and operations against the Japanese near Finschaffen and Lae; to the 2/25th Bn 04Dec1943; RTA 28Feb1944; Disch.24Aug1944 as Medically Unfit.

Cpl Groundwater is mentioned repeatedly in the 2/31st Battalion's history. Murray's brother Ronald Groundwater also awarded a Military Medal for action in New Guinea with the same unit 2/31st Battalion.

Research notes state that Murray Groundwater died in 1972 at Ingham, Queensland. It seems his uncle had possession of his Military Medal and about this time Groundwater's sons reached their majority and enquired as to the whereabouts of the medal but were told that it had been lost.

With research.

See lot 3673 for medals to his father, George Groundwater.