Groups and Single Decorations for Gallantry 80
A good Great War 1918 ‘Somme’ M.M. awarded to Private F. B. O’Donnell, 3rd Australian Infantry Battalion, Australian Imperial Force, for the capture of 4 machine guns and 45 prisoners during the attack near Hargicourt, 18 September 1918
Military Medal, G.V.R. (6802 Pte F. B. O’Donnell 3/Aust. Inf.) very fine M.M. London Gazette 17 June 1919. The original recommendation states:
‘For conspicuous bravery and devotion to duty at Hargicourt on 18th September 1918. With his Platoon Sergeant and Section Leader, Pte. O’Donnell under heavy machine fire rushed an enemy machine gun and helped to capture four machine guns and 45 prisoners. He killed the crews of two of the guns. Prior to this action he single handed captured a small enemy post and a garrison of eight. He did excellent work throughout and set a fine example of determination and fearlessness.’
The following additional detail is given in the Official History of Australia in the War 1914-1918, Vol. VI:
‘Lieut. Lord, to advance quickly, split his platoon into two, half led by Sgt. McMillan. Half way up the northern slope of the spur the left stopped by machine gunners in a knot of trenches. Leggett’s platoon on the north side of the valley was sniping across at these when it saw three Australians coming from the south towards the nest of guns. They were Sgt. McMillan and two of his men (L/Cpl Bradford and Pte F. B. O’Donnell). Following closely on the barrage, they had seen a machine gun firing on the troops on the left, and they hurried to work round into the trench full of Germans, putting on a bold face on their surprise they hurled their bombs. The whole trench-full surrendered, whereupon all the other Germans in the valley fled to the rear.’
Francis Bernard O’Donnell was born in Haymarket, Sydney in 1888. He enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force at Liverpool, New South Wales, 6 November 1916. O’Donnell was subject to court martial on two separate occasions - firstly for striking a superior officer, 23 April 1917, and latterly for fighting and drunkenness in the field, 11 June 1918.
O’Donnell served with the 3rd Battalion Australian Infantry Battalion in the French theatre of war from October 1917. He was awarded the M.M. for his gallantry near Hargicourt, Somme, 18 September 1918 (Sergeant McMillan’s D.C.M. was sold in these rooms in February 2019). On the latter date the Battalion War Diary records losses of 1 officer and 7 other ranks killed, 5 officers and 71 other ranks killed, whilst giving 60 Germans killed, approximately 200 captured, along with 22 guns and 20 machine guns captured during the attack. O’Donnell returned to Australia in May 1919.
£500-£600
81
A Great War 1918 ‘Somme’ M.M. awarded to Lance Corporal F. J. A. Bent, 18th Australian Infantry Battalion, Australian Imperial Force, originally recommended for the D.C.M. for his gallantry at Morlancourt, 19 May 1918, he was subsequently wounded in action, 31 May 1918
Military Medal, G.V.R. (4512 Pte F. J. A. Bent. 18/Aust: Inf:) very fine M.M. London Gazette 7 October 1918. The original recommendation (for a D.C.M.) states:
‘For conspicuous bravery. On reaching the objective in the attack near Morlancourt on the 19th inst. [May], it was found that no machine guns had arrived and this soldier immediately returned across the area which was swept by intense machine gun and rifle fire to a spot where we had suffered most casualties in penetrating the enemy’s wire. On searching the ground he found a gun of which the gunners had been killed and returned with it to where his platoon was holding the line. He immediately went back again and brought in another gun under similar circumstances. On making a third trip Pte Bent obtained several panniers of machine gun ammunition which had been lost on the way across. His conduct throughout was extremely cool and his bearing inspired the remainder of the men.’
Francis Joseph Arthur Bent was born in Wangaratta, Victoria in 1884. A printer by trade, he enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force at Melbourne, 10 October 1916. Bent was initially posted for service with the 29th Australian Infantry Battalion, and then to the 61st in July 1917.
Bent transferred to the 18th Australian Infantry Battalion, 13 October 1917, and served with them in the French theatre of war from 9 April 1918. The following month he distinguished himself at Moralncourt, and was wounded in action, 31 May 1918. Bent advanced to Lance Corporal in October 1918, and returned to Australia in April 1919. He was discharged in July 1919.
£500-£600
82
A Great War 1918 ‘Beaurevoir Line’ Stretcher Bearer’s M.M. awarded to Private J. Hollingsworth, 23rd Australian Infantry Battalion, Australian Imperial Force
Military Medal, G.V.R. (742 Pte. J. Hollingsworth. 23-A.I.F.) a later issue, with fixed suspension, very fine £300-£400 M.M. London Gazette 3 July 1919. The original recommendation states:
‘This man acted as a Stretcher Bearer during the operations near Beaurevoir, east of Peronne on the night 3/4th October 1918. All through the battle his work was marked by singular coolness and determination under heavy machine gun and artillery fire.
He worked assiduously for two days and nights with practically no sleep, evacuating our own and enemy wounded, and assisting flank companies with their wounded.
His gallant and courageous conduct acted as a great incentive to the men of his party.’ John Hollingsworth served during the Great War with the 23rd Australian Infantry Battalion from 1 March 1915.
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