Lot 3891

Description

Family Group: Father: New Zealand War Medal 1869, (undated reverse). Sergt J.Oakes, 2d Waikato Rt.; Son: Military Medal (GVR type 1). 2456 L.Cpl J.Oakes. 2/Aust:Inf:Bn. The first medal engraved, the second impressed. Original ribbon on first medal damaged, medal with edge bump and hairlines, otherwise very fine, the second medal with contact marks, otherwise nearly very fine.

Ex Chris Thomas Collection. Previously ex Noble Numismatics Sale 53 (lot 4723).

MM: LG 16/11/1916, p11145, posn 53; CAG 19/4/1917, p924, posn 159.

Recommendation for DCM - awarded MM: At Pozieres, France, during the period 23/25th July, 1916, L/Cpl. Oakes displayed great courage during the operations. During the heavy shelling on our position by the enemy, his action assisted materially in keeping the men, who were greatly fatigued, together. There is no doubt the courage displayed by this N.C.O. helped in a great measure to hold our captured position.

Also recommended for Russian Cross of St George 4th Class. File states 'Recommended by Brigade for the same 28-7-1916 no immediate reward given.' Note that this recommendation has Oakes' name incorrectly written as James Samuel Oakes, however it is obviously the same man as his service number, rank and unit are the same and the date and place of the recommended action is identical.

Father: John Shaw Oakes, miner, age 40, born at Paris of Tamone in County of Wexford; Enl.11Sep1863 at Otago, NZ; Disch.20Feb1865; 12Aug1876 wrote a letter from 37 Princess St, Sydney, NSW requesting issue of his New Zealand War Medal; he wrote again later from 107 Botany St, Surry Hills, Sydney; he finally acknowledged receipt of his medal, dated at Newcastle, NSW, 26 Sep1876.

Son: James Sutton Oakes, carter, age 38, born 15Jul1877 at Newcastle, NSW, the son of John Shaw Oakes, Tellerman (Govt Railway); Enl.08May1915 at Liverpool, NSW, previous service of one year with No 4 NSW Engineers; Emb.14Jul1915; to 2Bn at Gallipoli 04Nov1915; WIA17Jun1916, bomb wound right shoulder; WIA 24Jul1916 GSW left thumb; awarded MM 04Oct1916; RTA 12Jul1919; Disch.12Sep1919.

With copy of both service files and copy of James Sutton Oakes' birth certificate.

With research.