Lot 2247

Description

Australia, WWI, tribute fob, in gold (9ct, 7.12g, 23x43mm), obverse, saluting soldier at top, rifle at each side and in front of a Rising Sun, below 'Duty Bravely Done', above a shield with enamelled colours of a white, blue and white striped unit colour patch, around is a wreath and at the base a boomerang bearing the word 'Returned', reverse inscribed, 'Trooper W.P.Brady/from/Keepit & Wongo/Residents/12-3-19.'Some loss of enamel on central colour patch, otherwise fine.

Ex Warwick G.Cary Collection.

1551 Trooper William Patrick Brady, farmer, age 21, born at Tamworth, NSW; Enl.26Oct1915 at Holsworthy, NSW in 2nd Remount Unit; NOK was mother at Wongo Creek; Emb.Nov1915 on HMAT Orsova but Disemb.18Nov1915 at Fremantle, WA suffering from pleuro-pneumonia and returned to Sydney, NSW 24Apr1916 for discharge; Disch.18May1916.

The Keepit and Wonga Creek Welcome Home function on 12 March 1919 was in the form of a monster basket picnic and social held in the paddock opposite Corella School. Flags waved beneath the gum trees, "Welcome" was on the ever-welcome Union Jack, and the whole surroundings wore a gala appearance. The attendance was very large and people came from all over the district. James Gardner, President of the Welcome Home Committee made a speech and then Councillor Macdonald, standing in for the Shire President who was unavoidably absent, presented medals to Sgt-Major Frank Fitzgerald, Sgt R.Rodd, Bomb. George Coulton, Pte Reg Watts, Pte Alf Trinder, Pte Albert Holledge, Trooper W.Brady and Sgt C.Dowe's mother received his medal and Gunner T.Farrell's father-in-law received his medal.