Groups and Single Decorations for Gallantry 68


A Great War 1917 ‘Ypres’ M.M. group of three awarded to Private P. Callinan, 8th Australian Infantry Battalion, Australian Imperial Force, who was later killed in action during the Battle of Broodseinde, 4 October 1917


Military Medal, G.V.R. (5978 Pte P. Callinan. 8/Aust: Inf:); British War and Victory Medals (5978 Pte. P. Callinan 8 Bn. A.I.F.) mounted for display, generally good very fine (3)


£600-£800 M.M. London Gazette 12 December 1917. The original recommendation states:


‘During the attack on Polygon Wood, West of Ypres on September 20th 1917, when his Company Commander and Section Sergeant had been wounded on the way to the assembling position, Pte. Callinan guided his Section and Company on to the taped lines on which they were to form up, thereby being instrumental in having the Company formed up before zero hour.’


Peter Callinan was born in Carlton, Victoria, Australia in 1878. An Assistant Surveyor by trade, he enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force, 6 January 1916. Callinan served with the 8th Australian Infantry Battalion in the French theatre of war from November 1916. He was attached to the 1st Australian Typographical Section in February 1917, before returning to his parent unit in April of the same year.


Callinan distinguished himself during an attack on Polygon Wood, Ypres, 20 September 1917. The Battalion suffered casualties of 4 officers and 40 other ranks killed, and 6 officers and 160 other ranks wounded during the attack. However, they managed to capture 2 officers, 300 other ranks, 3 heavy trench mortars and 14 machine guns as a consequence of the attack.


Private Callinan was killed in action on the Western Front, 4 October 1917, and is buried in Tyne Cot Cemetery, Belgium.


69


A Great War 1918 ‘Somme’ M.M. group of three awarded to Sergeant A. S. Smith, 14th Australian Infantry Battalion, Australian Imperial Force, a veteran of Gallipoli, who was wounded, 11 February 1917, and distinguished himself on the Somme by bayoneting 5 Germans and capturing 2 during a raid on an enemy post. Sergeant Smith was killed in action during the attack on Morcourt, near Amiens, 8 August 1918


Military Medal, G.V.R. (293 A. Sjt: A. S. Smith. 14/Aust: Inf:); British War and Victory Medals (2014 Sgt. A. S. Smith. 2-F. A. Amb. A.I.F.) mounted for display, very fine (3)


£600-£800 M.M. London Gazette 21 October 1918. The original recommendation states:


‘For gallantry and conspicuous bravery during the raid on the Bois de Vaire, East of Corbie on the 15th June 1918. When in command of a section after scuppering an enemy post 10 Huns emerged from the crop and advanced against them. He at once charged the party killing five with the bayonet, capturing two and dispersing on two occasions on the objective. He bandaged wounded men of his section and later he brought the rest of his party back intact. He set a fine example and showed great leadership.’


A. S. Smith was born in Fitzroy, Melbourne, Australia in 1895. He enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force, 21 October 1914. Smith served in Gallipoli prior to serving in the French theatre of war from 1916 (entitled to 1914-15 Star). He received a gun shot wound to the right leg, 11 February 1917, and distinguished himself with the 14th Australian Infantry Battalion on the Somme, 15 June 1918.


Sergeant Smith was killed in action during the attack on Morcourt, near Amiens, 8 August 1918. The attack was a success, however, the Battalion suffered casualties of one officer and 17 other ranks killed, one officer and 5 other ranks died of wounds and 4 officers and 52 other ranks wounded. Sergeant Smith is buried in the Cerisy-Gailly Military Cemetery, Somme.


70


A fine Great War ‘1918’ M.M. group of three awarded to Private E. V. Williams, 15th Australian Infantry Battalion, Australian Imperial Force, who as part of a section of 9 attacked and captured a German position taking 45 prisoners and 3 machine guns - by the end of the action, Williams was the only man of the section not killed or wounded and he single-handedly held the position and prisoners until help could reach him


Military Medal, G.V.R. (6858 Pte E. V. Williams 15/Aust: Inf:); British War and Victory Medals (6858 Pte. E. V. Williams. 15-Bn. A.I.F.) mounted for display, very fine (3)


£700-£900 M.M. London 17 July 1919. The original recommendation states:


‘For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty during the attack on enemy positions East of Jeancourt on 18th September 1918 N.W. of St. Quentin. He was one of the section consisting of one N.C.O. and eight other ranks which rushed an enemy post and captured its’ garrison consisting of 45 men and 3 MGs. In dashing at this post under deadly hostile fire, four of his section were killed and three wounded. The Section Commander and himself eventually succeeded in capturing the position, but upon prisoners seeing they were only two in number, a German N.C.O. shot his Section Commander and killed him. Pte Williams immediately shot the German N.C.O. and held the remainder until further assistance reached him. Throughout the advance he was continually noted for his pluck and dash. His bravery in this action inspired his comrades and is worthy of an award.’


E. V. Williams was born in Mount Usher, Queensland, Australia, in 1898. He enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force at Rockhampton, 9 October 1916. Williams served with the 15th Australian Infantry Battalion in the French theatre of war from June 1917. He distinguished himself during operations east of Jeancourt, Aisne, 18 September 1918, when the Battalion carried out a successful attack capturing over 400 prisoners, 28 machine guns, 3 Minenwerfers and 20 field guns.


Williams returned to Australia in August 1919, and was discharged in October of the same year. He re-engaged for service during the Second War, 10 November 1939, and was discharged as Warrant Officer I, 17 June 1940.


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