An extremely well-documented group of nine awarded to Colonel W. V. Jardine-Blake, Australian Imperial Force, who served at Gallipoli and in command of the 35th Battalion on the Western Front during the Great War, and later Commanded the Allied Geographical Section in Australia during the Second World War; seeing operational service in the Philippines, for his services he was awarded the United States Legion of Merit, one of only a handful given to the Australian Army during the Second World War

1914-15 Star (Lieut. W. V. Blake. 20/Bn. A.I.F.); British War and Victory Medals (Major. W. V. J. Blake. A.I.F.); 1939-45 Star; Pacific Star; War Medal 1939-45; Australia Service Medal, the Second War awards all officially named ‘VX90028 W. V. J. Blake.); Efficiency Decoration, G.VI.R., 1st issue, Australia, the reverse contemporarily engraved ‘VX90028 Lt-Col (T/Col.) W. V. J. Blake A.I.F.’, with integral top riband bar, in Royal Mint case of issue; United States of America, Legion of Honour, Officer’s breast badge, gilt and enamel, with gilt representation of the award on the riband, unnamed, with lapel badge, in case of issue, the Great War awards somewhat later issues, ninor edge bruise to VM, otherwise nearly extremely fine (9) £1,400-£1,800

One of only 7 United States Legion of Honours awarded to Australian Army during the Second World War.

William Vere Jardine-Blake was born at Sydney, New South Wales, on 1 February 1894, and was commissioned Second Lieutenant in the Commonwealth Military Cadet Corps on 6 May 1912, being posted to the 19th Infantry Regiment, Kuring-Gai Infantry. Following the outbreak of the Great War he was commissioned Lieutenant in the Australian Imperial Force, and posted to the 20th Battalion. He served during the Great War in the Gallipoli theatre of war as an Intelligence Officer from June to October 1915, and the following year he transferred to the 35th Battalion as Captain, being promoted Major on 3 May 1917. He commanded the 35th Battalion on the Western Front from July 1917, and relinquished his commission on 6 July 1920, transferring to the Reserve of Officers.

Following the cessation of hostilities Jardine-Blake joined the Western Pacific High Commission in April 1921, and held various positions over the next twenty years, mainly in the Colony of Fiji, including as Acting Officer in Command of the Constabular and Superintendent of Prisons, and Postmaster, Treasury and Customs Department. Following the outbreak of the Second World War he was recalled from the Reserve of Officers and was appointed to G Branch, Directorate of Military Intelligence. Promoted Lieutenant-Colonel on 22 March 1943, he served as Commanding Officer of the Allied Geographic Section in Australia, a unit that ultimately reported to General Douglas MacArthur, United States Forces, who commanded the Southwest Pacific Area.

As well as providing Intelligence Works, Jardine-Blake also served operationally in the Philippines from 15 June 1945 (service for which qualified him for the Pacific Star, and also led to his inclusion on the roll for the United States Philippines Liberation Medal). Awarded the Efficiency Decoration on 12 November 1946, for his services during the Pacific campaign with the United States Forces he was awarded the United States Legion of Merit, Degree of Officer, on 28 May 1947, the citation stating ‘For extraordinary fidelity and exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding service.’ He reverted to the Reserve of Officer on 19 August 1947.

Sold with the recipient’s Bestowal Certificate for the United States Legion of Merit; various Allied Geographical Section Southwest Pacific Area pamphlets and booklets, including ‘The Native Carrier’ and ‘You and the Native’; a coy of ‘A Basis for Victory: The Allied Geographical Section 1942-45’, in which the recipient is frequently mentioned, together with a typed transcript of the original draft; a copy of the Australian Defence Force Journal, which contains a brief history of the Allied Geographical Section; and a large quantity of copied research, including a photographic image of the recipient.