Groups and Single Decorations for Gallantry 144
A Great War ‘Western Front’ M.M. awarded to Private G. R. Van Dusen, 18th (West Ontario) Battalion, Canadian Infantry
Military Medal, G.V.R. (880764 Pte. G. R. Van Dusen. 18/W. Ont. R.) with official corrections, cleaned, very fine £180-£220 M.M. London Gazette 11 February 1919.
G. R. Van Dusen was born in Blenheim, Ontario, Canada, in March 1885. He enlisted in the Canadian Overseas Expeditionary Force in May 1916, and served during the Great War with the 18th (Western Ontario) Battalion, Canadian Infantry in the French theatre from September 1917. He returned to Canada in May 1919, and was discharged later the same month.
145
A Great War 1918 ‘Somme’ M.M. group of three awarded to Corporal W. Palmer, 1st Australian Divisional Ammunition Column, Australian Imperial Force, for his gallantry in attempting to put out fire when 80 rounds of ammunition were set alight in a gun pit, 12 August 1918. Despite being blown several yards away by an exploding shell he continued to fight the fire with his shovel until another shell exploded and gravely wounded him in the face
Military Medal, G.V.R. (27471 Cpl. W. Palmer. Aust: F.A.) minor official correction to surname; British War and Victory Medals (27471 ER- Sgt W. Palmer. 1-D.A.C. A.I.F.) mounted for display, good very fine (3)
£600-£800 M.M. London Gazette 13 March 1919. The original recommendation states:
‘On 12th August 1918 between Hamel and Warfusee-Abancourt this N.C.O. showed great coolness and bravery when about 80 rounds of ammunition caught fire. The gun pit in which this ammunition was stacked was situated close to the road along which a large amount of traffic was passing and Corporal Palmer immediately ordered two men off to deflect the stream of traffic. Picking up a shovel, he then rushed to the gun pit and commenced shovelling earth on to it in an attempt to quench the fire. One of the shells exploded and blew Corporal Palmer several yards away. When he regained his feet he made for the fire once more and continued using his shovel. He had succeeded in putting the fire out when another shell burst, wounding him in the face. He was evacuated badly wounded in the face and eyes. This action was witnessed by an officer.’
William Palmer was born in Port Wakefield, South Australia, and enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force, at Melbourne, 6 May 1916. He served with the 2nd Field Artillery Brigade in the French theatre of war from November 1917, and transferred to the 1st Australian Divisional Ammunition Column in June 1918.
Palmer was awarded the M.M. for his gallantry on the Somme, 12 August 1918. He was badly wounded to the face and eyes during the action, and was invalided to England. Palmer returned to Australia in January 1919, and was discharged the following month. He died in February 1953.
146
A Great War 1918 ‘Somme’ M.M. pair awarded to Corporal H. E. Skidmore, Australian Provost Corps, Australian Imperial Force
Military Medal, G.V.R. (3295 Cpl H. E. Skidmore. Aust: Provost C.); British War Medal 1914-20 (3295 ER-Cpl H. E. Skidmore. 17 Bn. A.I.F.) mounted for display, nearly extremely fine, scarce to unit (2)
£600-£800 M.M. London Gazette 13 March 1919. The original recommendation states:
‘This N.C.O.'s work during the period 27th March 1918 to 10th September 1918 has been of the highest order. During the Dernancourt operations from 27th March 1918 to 6th April 1918 he displayed admirable courage and great devotion to duty under shell fire. During the operations which commenced on August 8th he has shown marked ability in controlling traffic under trying circumstances, where roads were being heavily shelled. On two occasions this N.C.O. has taken post in a village being heavily shelled and diverted all traffic around the same, thereby enabling transportation of ammunition and supplies to be carried forward safely, without delay, and possibly saving the lives of his comrades. Period covered 25th February to 16th September 1918.’
Herbert Edgar Skidmore was born in Northumberland, England, and was employed as a ticket collector on the State Railways prior to the Great War. He enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force, at Sydney, 14 October 1915, and was initially posted to 17th Australian Infantry Battalion. Having arrived in Egypt, Skidmore was transferred to the 55th Battalion in February 1916. He served in the French theatre of war from June 1916, and transferred to the Australian Provost Corps in September of the same year.
Skidmore was awarded the M.M. for his gallantry whilst attached to the 4th Australian Division during operations at Dernacourt, Somme, March - September 1918. Having advanced to Corporal, Skidmore returned to Australia in June 1920, and was discharged in September of the same year.
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