Lot 3281

Description

Group of Six: 1914-45 Star; British War Medal 1914-18; Victory Medal 1914-19; Defence Medal 1939-45; War Medal 1939-45; Australia Service Medal 1939-45. 1075 Pte B.J.Merritt. 10 Bn. A.I.F. on first three medals, VX24657 B.J.Merritt on last three medals. All medals impressed. With swing mounting bar but not attached, cleaned, otherwise very fine.

Together with modern 10 Aust Infy Bn colour patch on a descriptive card.

Benjamin John Merritt, baker, born 29Aug1900 at Wilmington, Sth Aust; Enl.09Sep1914 at Morphettville, Adelaide, Sth Aust; Emb.20Oct1914 with 10Bn; to ops in Gallipoli 25Apr1915; WIA 25Apr1915 at Gallipoli, GSW left hand, self inflicted, evacuated; Court Martialled and sentenced to prison; later ops in Flanders and France; various offences and several stays in hospital with VD throughout his term of service; RTA20Oct1918; Disch.06May1919; WWII: Enl.10Jun1940 at Caulfield, Melbourne, Vic; to Provost Corps at Broadmeadows 13Jun1940; Emb.14Sep1940; to camp at Sarafand, Palestine 13Oct1940; sick with adenitis (inflammation of a gland) 20Dec1940; RTA 22Jun1941 on Hospital Ship Manunda with duodenal ulcer; Disemb.07Jul1941 at Melbourne and to 115th Military Hospital; Disch.06Aug1941 as Private ex Aust Depot Bn, Medically Unfit; Died 26May1962 at age 67.

Merritt stated his age as 19 years when he enlisted in 1914. On his enlistment for WWII service he states his birth date as 29 August 1900. That means he would have been only 14 years and 11 days of age when he enlisted in WWI and at the Gallipoli landing, still only 14 years of age. However, he was married when he enlisted in WWI so it seems unlikely that he was only 14. It seems more likely that he has altered his birth date to lower his age so he could enlist in WWII since by 1940 he would have been about 45 years old. When he joined the militia (Army No.297222) on 14 August 1931, on his attestation form he shows his birth date as 29 August 1895 which aligns with his age of 19 when he enlisted in the AIF in 1914. Also when he died in 1962 his age was stated as 67.

With research and a copy of Service File.