Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

An emotive family group to Lieutenants Christopher and Geoffrey Champion, natives of Launceston, Tasmania, who were farmers at Bungendore, N.S.W., before enlisting into the Australian Infantry; both were commissioned and both were killed in action in France

1914-15 Star (637 Pte. C. H. D. Champion. 30 Bn. A.I.F.); British War and Victory Medals, with M.I.D. oak leaf (Lieut. C. H. D. Champion. A.I.F.) together with Bronze Memorial Plaque (Christopher Henry Duncan Champion)

1914-15 Star (583 L/Cpl. G. S. Champion. 30 Bn. A.I.F.); British War and Victory Medals (2-Lieut. G. S. Champion. A.I.F.) together with Bronze Memorial Plaque (Geoffrey Servante Champion) extremely fine (8) £1200-1500

Christopher Henry Duncan Champion was born on 15 September 1892, at Launceston, Tasmania, third son of the Rev. Arthur Hammerton Champion. He was a farmer at Bungendore, N.S.W., on enlistment as a private soldier on 1 July 1915. After training in Egypt with 30 Bn., he was commissioned and transferred to 3 Bn., arriving in France in 1916. After promotion to Lieutenant on 29 June, he was wounded at Pozieres on 16 August 1916, and evacuated to England, returning to his unit in December. He was mentioned in Sir Douglas Haig’s despatch of 7 November 1917 (London Gazette 18 April 1918), for distinguished and gallant service, devotion to duty and able leadership of his Company during the period 26 February to 30 September 1917. Lieutenant Champion was commanding B Coy, 3 Bn., in the defence of Hazebroucke, defending the area between Strazeele and Merris when he was killed in action just after 7pm on 14 April 1918. The 3 Bn. history records that “throughout the day he had fought bravely and well, and the quick and effective repelling of the enemy attacks was due in very great measure to his inspiring leadership, coolness and initiative”.

‘Lieut. Champion was in B. Co. I saw him shot through the head and killed instantly about the 4th April in front of Strazeele. I was only about five yards off him when this happened. We were at this time in an improvised trench and Mr Champion just put his head over when he was shot and killed by a sniper. His body was left where it fell.’

Lieutenant Christopher Champion’s remains were amongst those of four Australian soldiers found in France in March 2003, two of whom were positively identified as Lieutenant Champion and Corporal C. E. W. Corby, both of 3 Bn. Their remains were interred in a ceremony at the Outtersteene Communal Cemetery Extension, near Merris, in northern France, on 22 April 2005.



Geoffrey Servante Champion was born on 24 August 1894, at Launceston, Tasmania, third son of the Rev. Arthur Hammerton Champion. It is presumed that he enlisted together with his elder brother and trained with 30 Bn. in Egypt before receiving a commission and transferring to 4 Bn. for service in France. He was killed in action at Pozières on 25 July 1916, aged 21 years. According to a witness who ‘...knew him. We were in the advanced trenches near Pozières, he was in the support trench and was killed by a whizz-bang and was buried on the side of the trench where he fell. I saw his dead body, it was very much mangled. The shelling was very heavy. It would be impossible to find his grave.’

Lieutenant Geoffrey Champion is buried in Pozières British Cemetery, Ovillers-La Boiselle, France.