Lot 4870

Description

Group of Five: 1939-45 Star; Pacific Star; Defence Medal 1939-45; War Medal 1939-45; Australia Service Medal 1939-45. NX136717 A.Mc. McCarter. The first two medals engraved, the last three impressed. Uneven toning on reverse of first two medals, otherwise very fine - good very fine.

Alexander McConnell McCarter, born 22Sep1917 at Glasgow, Scotland; Enl.31Oct1942 NX136717 (N102815) at Narellan, Sydney, NSW; Court Martial 09Nov1942, 22Jan1943 and 30Aug1943 while serving in 19 Aust Infy Bn; Disch.30Oct1945 as Sapper ex 3 Returned Stores Depot.

The following was reported in the Illawarra Mercury at Wollongong on Friday 5 February 1943, page 3.

COURT MARTIAL - At Maitland

Absence without leave from 6.15 a.m. on November 13 to 11 p.m. on November 14, 1942, was charged against Cpl. Alexander McConnell McCarter. Mc Carter said he had a clean record except for three days A.W.L. on his return after 20 months at Darwin. The absence charged was because he received word that his wife was ill. He was refused leave although the battalion was going on monthly leave, and was given no reason. He went to Wollongong and was only there a few hours when he heard the battalion was on the move. He reported back to his unit and was placed under open arrest until January 23, receiving no leave or rest day. He did not ask for a Court Martial. The defending officer submitted that McCarter had been very harshly dealt with. Up to the present time he was under open arrest for over two months and suffering from all the inconveniences which followed from that. McCarter was released from arrest and ordered to be returned to his unit.