Lot 5758

Description

A(ustralian) E(ngineers) T(raining) D(epot), prize medal in silver (27x32mm), with suspension ring, handcrafted design and hallmarked for Birmingham 1917, by C.P & Co. (Charles Perry & Co), obverse inscribed in centre, 'Sapper/Dennet/A.I.F', reverse inscribed, 'A.E.T.D./Brightlingsea/"1918"/"O'Grady" Drill'. Scratches on reverse and slight bend at suspension loop, otherwise good fine.

O'Grady's Drill is a form of torture thought up by drill sergeants where the troops only obey orders that begin with "O'Grady says".

The AETD was established in 1916 at Brightlingsea, Essex, England. The recipient's name appears to be misspelt on the medal as it probably should be Dennett. There was a Sapper named Harold Edward Dennett, a grocer, age 21, born at Brisbane, Qld who enlisted on 01Sep1914 with previous service in 2nd Kennedy Regt. His finger was blown off on 30Apr1915 and he was discharged 25Feb1916 but re-enlisted on 18May1917 in the Fd Coy Engineers. In 1918 he was based at Brightlingsea.