GROUPS AND SINGLE DECORATIONS FOR GALLANTRY 99
A Great War 1916 ‘Somme’ M.M. group of three awarded to Bombardier A. E. Beeks, 2nd Battery, 1st Field Artillery Brigade, Australian Imperial Force, who was also killed in action on the Somme, 12 November 1916
MILITARYMEDAL, G.V.R. (278 Bmbr: A. E. Beeks 1/Bde: Aust: F.A.); BRITISHWAR AND VICTORYMEDALS (278 Bdr. A. E. Beeks. 1 F.A.B. A.I.F.) mounted for display, genuinely very fine or better (3)
£600-800 M.M. London Gazette 21 September 1916. The original recommendation states:
‘Throughout the period 22-27 July near Pozieres this N.C.O. assisted to maintain Battery and Right Battalion liaison officers' telephone lines. He was constantly under heavy shell fire, setting a splendid example to the men working with him and without his devotion to duty the work of the Field Artillery on this flank would have been impossible to carry out. It would be impossible to speak too highly of the work of this N.C.O. on the right flank and back through Contalmaison.’
Allan Edward Beeks was born in Alexandria, New South Wales, Australia, and educated at Pyrmont State School. He enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force, at Sydney, 24 August 1914, and embarked for the Middle East with the 2nd Battery, 1st Field Artillery Brigade in October 1914. Beeks served with the latter in Gallipoli from 25 April 1915, before being evacuated to Egypt in January 1916 (entitled to 1914-15 Star).
Beeks advanced to Bombardier in April 1916, and served with the 2nd Battery, 1st Field Artillery Brigade as part of the 1st Australian Division in the French theatre of war from May 1916. He was awarded his M.M. for gallantry in operations near Pozieres, Somme, 22 -27 July 1916. Beeks moved with his Battery to the front at Flers, 26 October 1916, and was killed in action whilst still serving on the Somme, 12 November 1916.
Bombardier Beeks is buried in the A.I.F. Burial Ground, Flers, Somme, France.
100
A Great War 1916 ‘Somme’ M.M. awarded to Sergeant T. V. Burnett, 20th Australian Infantry Battalion, Australian Imperial Force, for gallantry at Pozieres, 29/30 July 1916. He was killed in action seven days later on the Somme
MILITARY MEDAL, G.V.R. (504 Sjt: T. V. Burnett. 20/Aust: Inf: Bn:) good very fine M.M. London Gazette 21 September 1916. The original recommendation states:
‘For Conspicuous bravery at Pozieres. During an intense machine gun and artillery fire on the night of 29/30 July 1916, following an unsuccessful attempt to take the German Second Line Trenches, he went into no-man's land and brought in wounded men, showing the utmost coolness and devotion to duty.’
Thomas Vincent Burnett was born in Warialda, New South Wales, and educated there at St. Joseph’s Convent School. He served with the 20th Australian Infantry Battalion as part of the 5th Australian Brigade, 2nd Australian Division in the French theatre of war.
Burnett was awarded his M.M. for gallantry in operations at Pozieres, Somme, 29/30 July 1916. He was killed in action whilst still serving with the Battalion on the Somme, 6 August 1916. The Official History of Australia in the War of 1914-1918, Volume III - The A. I.F. in France 1916, C.E.W. Bean, gives the following:
‘The trench was easily taken, most of the enemy being still in their deep dugouts from which in most cases they came up and surrendered willingly as soon as a summons was shouted to them. Some, who did not understand and had bombs rolled down on them, fought and in the 20th Battalion sector when an officer (Lt. C. Morgan Jones) and sergeant (Sgt. T.V. Burnett) were exploring the underground chambers after the unwounded Germans had surrendered, a wounded officer lying in a dark corner threw a bomb at them.’
Sergeant Burnett is buried in Puchevillers British Cemetery, Somme, France. £700-900
101
A Great War 1916 ‘Western Front’ M.M. group of four awarded to Corporal G. Riley, Royal Field Artillery
MILITARYMEDAL, G.V.R. (96537 Cpl. G. Riley. R.F.A.); 1914-15 STAR (96537. Cpl. G. Riley, R.F.A.); BRITISHWAR AND VICTORY MEDALS, with M.I.D. oak leaves (96537 Cpl. G. Riley. R.A.) good very fine (4)
£280-320 M.M. London Gazette 11 October 1916.
George Riley was born in Port Clarence, Co. Durham, in 1892 and attested for the Royal Field Artillery at Middlesbrough on 2 September 1914. He was promoted Acting Corporal three days later on 5 September 1914, and was supplementary employed on munitions work with Bell Brothers Ltd., Clarence Iron Works, Middlesbrough. Posted to 51st Brigade, Royal Field Artillery on 18 January 1915, he served during the Great War on the Western Front from 11 May 1915, and was awarded the Military Medal, as well as being Mentioned in Despatches (London Gazette 15 June 1916).
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