Lot 4548

Description

Singles: Military Medal (GVR type 1); 1914-15 Star; British War Medal 1914-18; Victory Medal 1914-19. 4162 Cpl. R.H.Hill 4 F/Coy Aust E. on first medal, details on second medal not visible because of mounting, 2709 Pte J.C.Kruss 27 Bn. A.I.F. on third medal, 6079 Pte S.Coffey 22 Bn. A.I.F. on last medal. All named medals impressed. Four single medals mounted in a timber frame under perspex and with an oxidised bronze Rising Sun badge above as well as a plaque with details, '4162 Robert Henry Hill M.M. 4th Field Engineers A.I.F. For Bravery 9/10 June 1917 At Messines K.I.A. 8.8.17 Belgium', fine - very fine.

Together with original MM ribbon.

Note on back of frame indicates the Military Medal is the only medal issued to Robert Henry Hill and the others are for display purposes only.

MM: LG 16/8/1917, p8427; CAG 20/12/1917, p3377.

Recommendation: East of Messines on the night of 9th/10th June 1917 he was in charge of a mixed carrying party of sappers and infantry, carrying stores forward to the support line for the construction of wire entanglements. Owing to the heavy barrage the men kept losing touch with each other and at great personal risk this N.C.O. moved up and down the column encouraging the party to 'close up'. He made three journeys through heavy shell fire, delivered the stores, and so enabled the wiring parties to complete their work.

Robert Henry Hill, carpenter, age 19, born at Burwood, Sydney, NSW; Enl.01Jun1915 at Liverpool, NSW; proceeded to join MEF at Gallipoli 03Sep1915; to Cpl21Mar1917; awarded MM 23Jun1917; KIA 8Aug1917 at Belgium; Buried at Kandahar Farm Cemetery, Belgium.

Jasper Clifford Kruss, caretaker, age 25, born at Perth, WA; Enl.02Aug1915 at Keswick, Sth Aust; TOS 10Bn from 27Bn 28Feb1916; DOW (GSW to head) received in action 31Jul1916, France; Buried at St Sever Cemetery, Rouen, France.

Samuel Coffey, kitchen man, age 30, born at Melbourne, Vic; Enl.09Sep1916 at R.A. Showgrounds, Moore Park, Sydney, NSW; Emb.31Oct1916 with 22Bn; WIA 03Oct1917 bruising and contusions after being buried by shell fire, France; KIA 27Aug1918 France; Buried at Assevillers New British Cemetery, south west of Peronne, France.

With some basic research.