A Great War 1918 ‘Somme’ M.M. group of nine awarded to Corporal, later Lieutenant, J. P. Laugier, 29th Battery, 8th Australian Field Artillery Brigade, Australian Imperial Force, who distinguished himself near Sailly le Sec, 5 April 1918, when he was originally recommended for a D.C.M., and was wounded in action near Villers Bretonneux, seven days later. He re-engaged for service during the Second War and served with the 1st Corps Signals in the Middle East, North Africa and Palestine, before transferring for service with the 2/1st Air Support Control Unit

Military Medal, G.V.R. (19622 Gnr: J. P. Laugier. 29/By: Aust: F.A.); British War and Victory Medals (19622 ER - 2 - Cpl. J. P. Laugier 3 D.H.T.M.B. A.I.F.) BWM with official corrections; 1939-45 Star; Africa Star; Pacific Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45; Australia Service Medal, Second War medals officially impressed ‘VX19470 J. P. Laugier’, mounted for display, generally very fine (9)
£700-£900

M.M. London Gazette 13 September 1918. The original recommendation (for a D.C.M.) states:

‘On 5th April 1918, near Sailly le Sec south of Albert, this gunner was on duty as a signaller at a forward O.P. Both the O.P. and the Battery position were subjected to heavy enemy shelling, during which the telephone lines were cut in several places. Gunner Laugier went out on three occasions, under heavy shell fire, and mended breaks in the lines between the battery and O.P. When communication finally broke down, he used visual signalling, thereby exposing himself to extremely heavy shell fire. By his coolness and disregard for personal safety, it was possible for the Battery Commander to control the fire of his Battery during a most critical period.’

Jean Pierre Laugier was born in Melbourne, Victoria, in 1898. He enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force at Melbourne, 20 March 1916. Laugier was posted to the 29th Battery, 8th Australian Field Artillery Brigade and served with them in the French theatre of war from December 1916.

Laugier was awarded his M.M. for gallantry on the Somme, 5 April 1918, and was wounded in action near Villers Bretonneux, 12 April 1918. He advanced to Corporal in June 1919, and returned to Australia in December of the same year. Laugier was discharged in February 1920, only to re-engage for service during the Second War. He enlisted as a Corporal with the 1st Corps Signals at Melbourne in May 1940.

Laugier advanced to Sergeant, and saw service in the Middle East, North Africa and Palestine before he returned to Australia in March 1942. He was posted to New Guinea in May 1942, and commissioned Lieutenant in the 2/1st Air Support Control Unit in September of the same year. Laugier was discharged in March 1944.