Lot 4999

Description

Pair: British War Medal 1914-18; Victory Medal 1914-19 with MID. Capt. G.J.Greenshields A.I.F. Both medals impressed. Securing prongs missing from back of MID emblem, medals extremely fine.

MID: LG 28/5/1918, p6201, posn 23; CAG 24/10/1918, p2055, posn 114.

Recommended 18/9/1917 and again 3/3/1918 - Has displayed exceptional ability, courage, and devotion to duty in the Field. He has served with the Brigade since its formation, and the Battery to which he belonged - until recently appointed Adjutant - materially benefited by his qualities of leadership and ability. Under heavy shell-fire he has displayed the greatest coolness, and has invariably set a splendid example to his Unit in this regard.

Service record notes - Specially mentioned in Sir Douglas Haig's Field Despatch of 7/4/18.

George Jerrard Greenshields (spelt George Gorrard Greenshields on Nominal Roll), soldier, age 20, born at Ballarat East, Vic; Enl.04Apr1916 as Lt (Prov) in 7th FAB, previous service at Royal Military College, Duntroon (Corps of Staff Cadets) Mar1914-Apr1916 and specially graduated for war service; Emb.11May1916; appt Captain and Adjutant 01Sep1917; KIA 01Apr1918 at Heilly near Amiens, France; buried at Heilly Station Cemetery, Mericourt-L'Abbe, France; commemorated on Roll of Honour, Peacock Hall, Ballarat High School, Victoria.

A road used to bring up ammunition at the Amiens front was kept under intermittent enfilading fire by a sniping 4.2cm German gun. Lt Col Churches, CO, Capt Greenshields, Adjutant, and Lieut Radford, CO of 7th Aust Fd Arty Bde, were all killed by one of the shells from this gun in the old prisoners camp alongside the road. Baron Richthofen's aircraft crashed within five yards of the road but slightly further west.

Together with research including full service records.