Pair: Private J. F. Dunkerley, 24th Battalion, Australian Imperial Force, who was killed in action at the Battle of Broodseinde, near Ypres, on 4 October 1917

British War and Victory Medals (5012 Pte. J. F. Dunkerley 24 Bn. A.I.F.); Memorial Scroll ‘Pte. Joseph Frederick Dunkerley’, mounted on card, rank very faint and unit almost all faded on scroll, otherwise generally very fine (2) £100-£140

Joseph Frederick Dunkerley, a native of Leitchville, Victoria, Australia, attested for the Australian Imperial Force and served with the 24th Battalion, Australian Infantry during the Great War on the Western Front. He was killed in action at the Battle of Broodseinde, near Ypres, on 4 October 1917; on this day, nine Victoria Crosses were awarded, including two to Australian units.

The Capture of Brookseinde Ridge was considered a success and a major achievement for the 24th Battalion, and Field Marshall Plumer called it the ‘greatest victory since the Marne’, in contrast the German Official History refer to it as ‘the black day of October 4’. The 24th Battalion ended the War with over 250 awards including one Victoria Cross.

Dunkerley has no known grave and is commemorated on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial, Belgium.

Sold with Buckingham Palace enclosure and a faded photographic image of the recipient, both mounted on card.