Lot 5121

Description

Family Singles: Father. New Zealand 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: First medal engraved, second medal impressed. Ribbon on first medal damaged, medal with a few edge bumps, otherwise nearly very fine, the second medal with contact marks, otherwise very fine.

Ex Noble Numismatics Sale 53 (lot 4723).

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

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 NCO helped in a great measure to hold our captured positions.

Also Recommendation on 28Jul1916 for Russian Cross of St George 4th Class: (at Pozieres) Displayed great courage during the operations and during the heavy shelling after we had captured the enemy's positions which resulted in the trenches being destroyed and having to be repeatedly re-made. (This recommendation has the name recorded incorrectly as James Samuel Oakes, no award given)

Father: John Shaw Oakes, miner, age 40, born at Paris of Tamone in County of Wexford, Ireland; 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 at Newcastle, NSW; Enl.08May1915 at Liverpool, NSW, with previous service of one year with No.4 NSW Engineers; Emb.14Jul1915; to L/Cpl 15Feb1916; WIA 17Jun1916, bomb wound right arm & shoulder, France; WIA (2nd occasion) 24Jul1916, SW left thumb; awarded Military Medal 04Oct1916; to Sgt 26Oct1916; to CSM (WOII) 22Oct1918; RTA 12Jul1919; Disch.12Sep1919.

With research and copy of Service Records.