Orders, Decorations and Medals

Army L.S. & G.C., G.VI.R., 1st issue, New Zealand (2/816 WOI H. B. Bernard, RAE(P)) nearly extremely fine £100-140

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, An Extensive Collection of Medals for Long and Meritorious Service.

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An anomalous award of an Army L.S. &. G.C. Medal with ‘New Zealand’ suspension to a member of the Australian military.

Army L.S. & G.C. Commonwealth of Australia Gazette 30 July 1936. ‘997 Staff Sgt. H. B. Bernard, R. Aust. Engrs.’

Clasp to the Army L.S. & G.C. Commonwealth of Australia Gazette 29 May 1952. ‘2/816 W.O. I Henry Bernard Bernard, R. Austr. Engrs. (Perm.)’.

Commonwealth of Australia Meritorious Service Medal Commonwealth of Australia Gazette 14 August 1945. ‘NP997 W.O. (Cl.I) Henry Bernard Bernard, R. Aust. Engrs. (Perm.)’.

Henry Bernard Bernard was born on 25 December 1890 in London, England. He arrived in Australia in November 1909 aboard the Orsova together with his parents and siblings. A Motor-Fitter by occupation, he enlisted in to the Permanent Military Forces at George's Head on 10 June 1912 and was posted as a Sapper to Fortress Engineers. He was sent to the Royal Military College, Duntroon on 17 April 1916 and thereafter proceeded through the ranks, various postings and re-enlistments until he became Warrant Officer Class One on 1 April 1941. He was assigned to the Sydney Fixed Defences in November 1941. Transferred to the Water Transport Group in February 1943, he was involved in operations in the South West Pacific against the Japanese in the Milne Bay area of Papua New Guinea with postings to various Small Ships Companies and Water Transport Sections before being transferred to the School of Military Engineering, Liverpool on 18 November 1945, to Sydney Fixed Defences in January 1946, to the Interim Army in July 1947, to the Army Vessel Crusader, September 1947-February 1948, from where he was posted to 5th Base Ordnance Depot of the Royal Australian Army Ordnance Corps. He re-enlisted in to the Australian Regular Army on 14 May 1949 and was discharged as an Honorary Lieutenant on the Retired List on 26 December 1950, aged 60 years and after service of 38.5 years.

In addition to the award of the Australian Long Service and Good Conduct Medal and the Australian Meritorious Service Medal, Harry Bernard Bernard was awarded the 1939-45 Star, Pacific Star, War Medal and Australian Service Medal, and the Return form Active Service Badge. Sold with copied research.