Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A superb Great War ‘Glencourse Wood’ 1917 D.C.M. group of six to Lance Corporal, later Lieutenant, H. Israel, 6th Australian Infantry Battalion, Australian Imperial Force, for personally capturing a machine gun and despatching it’s operators at the point of a bayonet, and later contributing to the capture of a concrete blockhouse. He was wounded three times during the Great War

Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R. (2543 Cpl. H. Israel. 6/Aust: Inf:) surname partially officially corrected; 1914-15 Star (2543 Pte. H. Israel. 6/Bn. A.I.F.); British War and Victory Medals (Lieut. H. Israel. A.I.F.); War Medal 1939-45; Australian Service Medal 1939-45, last two officially impressed, ‘V144513 H. E. Israel’, generally very fine or better (6) £2000-3000

D.C.M. London Gazette 19 November 1917:

‘For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty, he rushed forward and bayoneted two of the enemy who were inflicting casualties in another unit with a machine gun. He then helped to a concrete blockhouse where eight prisoners were captured. After the consolidation he did splendid work in leading carrying parties to the frontline, through heavy barrage. He showed the greatest courage and determination.’

Henry Israel was born in Sydney, New South Wales, in 1893. He enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force at Melbourne, Victoria, 21 June 1915, and was posted to the 6th Australian Infantry Battalion. He joined the Battalion at Lemnos in October 1915, before being hospitalised with illness at the end of the year. He served with the Battalion as part of the 2nd Australian Brigade, 1st Australian Division in the French theatre of war from April 1916.

Israel served with the 6th Battalion in Ypres, and was awarded his D.C.M. for gallantry in an attack on Glencourse Wood, 18 - 21 September 1917. The following additional detail is added by As Rough as Bags - The History of the 6th Battalion, 1st A.I.F. 1914-1919:

‘One of the features of the Glencourse Wood battle was the high standard of leadership shown by the N.C.O.s and men. Sergeant J. Harvie personally killed five Germans who were crewing a machine gun. When his officer was wounded Sergeant Cyril McQuie took charge of his platoon and although wounded twice, led the platoon forward and consolidated the position. Although he was badly exhausted and in need of medical attention McQuie refused to leave his men.

While he was acting as liaison N.C.O. with the 3rd Brigade on the left flank, Corporal Henry Israel spotted a machine gun firing on the advancing 3rd Brigade. Without any hesitation Israel rushed the post and bayoneted the occupants. A short time later he was in a small party that stormed a blockhouse and took eight prisoners.’

The battalion’s War Diary gives a full narrative of the 6th Battalion’s attack on Glencourse Wood between the dates mentioned, for which the Battalion were awarded 5 D.C.M.s. They did, however, suffer casualties of 10 officers and 247 other ranks killed. The German casualties were recorded as at least 150 killed, and 5 officers and 247 other ranks taken prisoner.

Israel was three times wounded in action, on 13 and 14 October 1917, and 21 September 1918. The latter is recorded in As Rough as Bags - The History of the 6th Battalion, 1st A.I.F. 1914-1919:

‘On 21st September, one of the battalion outposts received a direct hit from an enemy shell. The roof and walls collapsed, burying all the occupants. One of the regimental stretcher bearers - Private A. W. Towers, dug for an hour before he could extricate them. He dressed their wounds and noting the serious condition of Lieutenant Israel, insisted on carrying him back through the barrage, to the battalion Aid Post for treatment.’

Towers was unsuccessfully recommended for the D.C.M. for the above action. Israel was commissioned Second Lieutenant 3 October 1918. He returned to Australia and was discharged, only to re-engage for service during the Second War. He served as a Major in the Australian Army Ordnance Corps, November 1941 - August 1944.

Sold with the following items relating to the recipient: Silver War Badge, reverse numbered ‘A 90805’; gold (15 ct) presentation medal, obverse engraved with initials ‘H.I.’ and the reverse engraved ‘Presented By “The Age” To Henry Israel In honour of his enlisting For Active Service 1915’; gold (9 ct) and enamel badge, capital ‘A’ in enamels fixed in gold ring; Royal Navy and Army Boxing Association Prize Medal, in silver (Hallmark’s for London 1917), reverse engraved ‘Sgt. H. Israel 6th Aust. Inf. Welter Boxing Champ. 2nd Army School France July-August 1918’; a sixpence fashioned into the shape of King George V with pipe and slouch hat.