A Fine 1918 Somme ‘Night Action’ M.M. group of four awarded to Corporal L. T. S. Ogilvie, 58th Australian Infantry Battalion, Australian Imperial Force

Military Medal, G.V.R. (1626 Cpl L. T. S. Ogilvie. 58/Aust: Inf:); 1914-15 Star (1626 Pte L. T. S. Ogilvie. 8/Bn A.I.F.); British War and Victory Medals (1626 A/Sjt L. T. S. Ogilvie. 8 Bn. A.I.F.) minor edge bruise to first, generally good very fine (4) £800-1000

M.M. London Gazette 21 October 1918. The original recommendation states:

‘For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty during operations east of Ville-sur-Ancre, south-west of Albert on the night of 3/4 July 1918. Cpl. Ogilvie was in charge of two sections and while advancing on his objective encountered an enemy machine gun which was holding up the advance of the two right sections. He opened fire with one section and led the other section to a flank and engaged the enemy strong point with rifle grenades, finally rushing and capturing the post. He then moved forward and established his men on the objective. Later, when they were heavily shelled, he took his men forward, thus avoiding many casualties. He displayed excellent judgement and leadership throughout the operation.’

L. T. S. Ogilvie was born in Tandarook, Victoria, in 1895. He enlisted in the 8th Australian Infantry Battalion, A.I.F., 19 October 1914. He embarked for overseas service in February 1915, arriving in Gallipoli, 8 May 1915. Having recovered from influenza, he transferred to the 60th Battalion, and then to the 58th Battalion in March 1916. He disembarked in Marseilles in June 1916, prior to being posted to 15th Training Battalion in the UK. He returned to the 58th Battalion and served with them in the French theatre of war from 7 January 1918.

The 58th Battalion were in action east of Ville-sur-Ancre, Somme, on the night of 3/4 July 1918. Ogilvie served with distinction as part of Captain F. C. Dawson’s ‘D’ Company. The Battalion War Diary gives ‘D’ Company as suffering one officer and 9 other ranks killed and one officer and 30 other ranks (including Ogilvie) wounded during the action. German casualties were 50 killed including two officers and 25-30 taken prisoner of war. Ogilvie was discharged as medically unfit in Australia, 12 January 1920.