Lot 3902

Description

DCM Group of Four: Distinguished Conduct Medal (GVR Type 1); 1914-15 Star; British War Medal 1914-18; Victory Medal 1914-19. 8915 Sjt: R.W.Jane Aust. F.A. on first medal, 8915 Gnr R.W.Jane 2/D.A.C. A.I.F. on second medal, 8915 Sgt R.W.Jane 2D.A.C. A.I.F. on last two medals. All medals impressed. Swing mounted, some contact marks, nicely toned, very fine.

DCM: LG 12/3/1919, p3392, posn 38; citation LG 2/12/1919, p14909, posn 9; CAG 17/6/1919, p1012, posn 69; citation CAG 19/2/1920, p194, posn 1.

Awarded to Sgt R W Jane, serving with 105th Howitzer Battery.

Recommendation: At Hargincourt on the morning of the 29th September 1918 this NCO was in charge of a gun which was situated in a very exposed position on the right flank of the battery. Soon after our Barrage opened a heavy counter-barrage was put down close to the Battery, two of Sgt Jane's detachment were casualties, but with great coolness and courage this NCO though short-handed, and under heavy shell-fire, continued to work his guns, so that although a difficult creeping barrage was being fired, not a round was missed and continuous fire maintained.

Shortly afterwards this NCO was himself severely wounded in the arm but still continued to work the gun, though weak and dazed, it was only on the receipt of a direct order from an officer that he would consent to leave his gun and hand over his barrage to another NCO. This NCO has set a conspicuous example of consummate coolness and courage, and displayed a very high devotion to duty in the face of most trying and dangerous circumstances.'

Richard Watson Jane, orchardist, age 22, born at Clunes, Vic; Enl.02Nov1915 at Melbourne, Vic; Emb.16Nov1915; served in operations in France and Flanders near Flers and then Pozieres, also at Ypres, Passchendaele and Mont St Quentin; WIA 29Sep1918 shrapnel to right arm, near Mont St Quentin; RTA 04Feb1919; Disch.21Mar1919 Medically Unfit; Died 05May1955.

With research including copy of Service file.