Lot 2526

Description

Tribute Medal, in bronze (27mm), ring top suspension, obverse, post office building in South Australia, reverse, "J.A.Lewis./M.M." from fellow officers/P.M.Gs. Department/S.A./in appreciation of services/in the Great War/1914-19. With damaged red, white and blue ribbon attached, toned very fine.

Ex I.S.Wright Sale 36 4/5/1995.^John Arthur Lewis, postal assistant, age 24, born at Hallett, Sth Aust; Enl.30Aug1915 at Adelaide, Sth Aust; Emb.11Jan1916 with 1-12 RFTS for 32Bn; served in France and WIA 09Aug1916 at Pozieres Heights, GSW abdomen, severe; to hospital in England; returned to France 29Apr1917; awarded MM for action on 03May1918 at Proyart near Villers-Brettoneaux LG 24/1/1919, page 1252 and CAG 23/5/1919, page 898; RTA 05Apr1919; Disch.08Jul1919; Died 01Mar1965.^MM: Recommendation: For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty during the operations 8th/9th August 1918. During the advance on Proyart Cpl. Lewis was in charge of a party of Signallers detailed to lay a line from Battalion Headquarters and keep in touch with Brigade Headquarters. During this operation the party was heavily shelled and two of his men were severely wounded. Cpl. Lewis, in spite of frequent breaks in the line, went back under heavy shell fire and repaired all breaks. Through this gallant N.C.Os work Battalion Headquarters was connected with Brigade Headquarters very soon after the final objective was captured. Cpl. Lewis later in the day took charge of another small party, and in spite of heavy machine gun fire ran a wire from Headquarters to "A" Company Sector. This was responsible for getting valuable information back to Battalion Headquarters and saving the lives of Runners. Throughout the operations Cpl. Lewis worked extremely hard and ran great personal risk in maintaining communications.^With copy of Service File and other research.