Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Great War 1918 ‘Somme’ M.M. group of three awarded to Private C. Wells, 47th Australian Infantry Battalion, Australian Imperial Force, for gallantry as a Runner at Dernancourt, 5 April 1918

Military Medal, G.V.R. (5208 Pte. C. Wells. 47/Aust: Inf:); British War and Victory Medals (5208 Pte. C. Wells. 47-Bn. A.I.F.), mounted for display, generally very fine (3) £700-900

M.M. London Gazette 16 July 1918. The original recommendation states:

‘At Dernancourt, south west of Albert 5th April 1918, Wells acted as a runner and did some splendid work. He showed great determination in getting his messages through heavy artillery and machine gun fire. When passing the Battalion Headquarters with a message, he was wounded, but delivered his message. His grit was very fine and was an example to all the men.’

C. Wells was born in Brisbane, Australia, in 1891. He enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force, in November 1915. He embarked for Egypt on H.M.A.T. Star of Victoria, in March 1916, and travelled on to France on the H.T. Hunstpill, in June 1916. Wells served with the 47th Australian Infantry Battalion as part of the 12th Australian Brigade, 4th Australian Division in the French theatre of war from July 1916.

Wells was awarded his M.M. for gallantry in operations on the Somme, in particular at Dernancourt, 5 April 1918. The Battalion War Diary for this date records that the attack was successful, with the 47th Battalion suffering casualties of 3 officers and 22 other ranks killed, 2 officers and 85 other ranks wounded.

Wells continued to serve with the Battalion in France, and was hospitalised suffering from ‘lumbago, debility and trench fever.’ He returned to Australia in the S.S Commonwealth, 11 February 1919, and was discharged 28 July 1919.