Other Properties - Australian Groups

Lot 3694    SESSION 13 (2.30PM THURSDAY 21ST NOV)    Other Properties - Australian Groups

Estimate $2,500
Bid at live.noble.com.au
SOLD $1,550

MBE GROUP OF EIGHT TO MEDICAL OFFICER POW: The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (Member) (MBE) (Military) type 2; 1939-45 Star; Africa Star; Defence Medal 1939-45; War Medal 1939-45; Australia Service Medal 1939-45; Coronation Medal 1953; Greece Commemorative Medal of the War of 1940-41 (Army). First and last two medals unnamed as issued, NX34756 N.H.Rose on second to sixth medals. Named medals impressed. Display mounted, some stains on ribbons, otherwise extremely fine.

Together with a swing mounted matching set of miniatures for first seven medals; several photos.

MBE (Military): LG 21/2/1946, p1048; CAG 31/10/1946, p3047 - For outstanding courage and coolness as POW at Casel.

Presented by the Governor of NSW at Government House, Sydney on 6/12/1949.

Coronation Medal: Entitlement confirmed.

Norman Henry Harkwell Rose, Doctor of Medicine at Sydney Hospital, born 05Nov1912 at Dubbo, NSW; Enl.23Apr1940 at Sydney, NSW as Captain, AAMC; to 2/5 AGH 17Jun1940; Emb.19Oct1940 for ops in Middle East; to 1 AGH 12Dec1940; to 2/5 AGH 25Mar1941; MIA in Greece 26Apr1941; later advised that he was captured near Athens by the Germans on 25Apr1941 (Anzac Day); reported as POW at Lazarette; reported POW at Stalag VIIB 24Feb1942; reported POW at Stalag 344 15Jan1944; it was reported that he could have been repatriated as an exchange prisoner on several occasions but gave up his place to others and was finally recovered by Allies and arrived in England 02May1945; noted as having acted as interpreter for the US Army in Europe; Emb.01Aug1945 from England for USA; Emb.17Oct1945 from Los Angeles, USA; Disemb.09Nov1945 at Melbourne, Vic and then by train to Sydney, NSW; Disch.31Dec1945; to Reserve of Officers 01Jan1946; Medical Superintendent at Sydney Hospital until 1967.

Dr Norman Rose worked as POW Medical Officer in Greece until March 1942 and then to Germany. After his release on 17 April until 25 April 1945 he was Medical Officer to 15,000 freed POWs. He returned to Australia via the USA and spent time at John Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore and at Chicago with Malcolm McEachern in Hospital Administration courses. It was here that he met his future wife, Gwen Brace. Dr Rose was also Chief Medical Officer Royal Life Saving Society, NSW Branch. In the Society's annual report for 1939-40 it records the award to him of a Life Governor's Badge for active, moral and financial assistance over many years. On his return from war service he resumed his role as Chief Medical Officer. He also held numerous other positions including President of the NSW section of the Royal Flying Doctor Service, a Councillor of the Physically Handicapped and the Royal Humane Society, member of the Army Headquarters Committee of Medical Stores, a member of the Royal Australian Historical Society, and an Honorary Medical Officer of Legacy, the Australian Swimming Association, the NSW Amateur Boxing Association and the Queenscliffe Life Saving Club. While in America as the Australian delegate to the International Hospital Federation Conference in Chicago he died accidentally in New York on 30 May 1967 at the age of 54.

With research.