Auction Catalogue

28 February & 1 March 2018

Starting at 11:00 AM

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Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

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Lot

№ 52

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28 February 2018

Hammer Price:
£950

A Great War 1918 ‘Somme’ M.M. group of three awarded to Sergeant E. B. Mundle, 3rd Australian Pioneer Battalion, Australian Imperial Force, for his gallant conduct as a runner during an offensive west of Bray-sur-Somme, 22 August 1918. He had been gassed three months prior to the action

Military Medal, G.V.R. (2850 Pte. E. B. Mundle. 3/Aust: Pnr: Bn:); British War and Victory Medals (2850 A-Sgt. E. B. Mundle. 3-Pnr. Bn. A.I.F.) mounted for display, generally good very fine (3) £700-900

M.M. London Gazette 11 February 1919. The original recommendation states:

‘On the early morning of the 22nd August 1918 during the offensive on the west of Bray-sur-Somme, No. 2850 Private Edward Baker Mundle was employed as a runner, attached to Lt. J. H. James MC. He was continuously carrying messages after the objective was reached, from the front line, which was on the slope just in front of the village, and was swept continuously by enemy machine gun and rifle fire, which was particularly bad in this quarter. Through the messages he took to the Trench Mortar Officer and to Company Headquarters, however, the situation was able to be effectively dealt with and communication kept up. Throughout the whole operation, Private Mundle showed great courage and devotion to duty, setting a splendid example to all ranks.’

Edward Barker Mundle was born in Balmain, Sydney, Australia, in 1892, and was educated at the Western Australia School of Mines. He enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force, at Blackley Hill, 8 February 1916, and embarked for the UK in S.S. Benalla at the end of the year. Mundle embarked for France 3 May 1917, and served with the 3rd Australian Pioneer Battalion as part of the 3rd Australian Division in the French theatre of war.

Mundle was gassed 26 May 1918. He was awarded his M.M. for gallantry in operations on the Somme, in particular during the offensive west of Bray-sur-Somme, 22 August 1918. The latter action was the first time that the Battalion had been engaged in an infantry capacity since its’ arrival in France.

Mundle returned to Australia in H.T.
Kildonian Castle in September 1919, and was discharged 28 April 1919.