Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Great War 1917 ‘Celtic Wood - Ypres’ M.M. awarded to Private F. Wilson, 10th Australian Infantry Battalion, Australian Imperial Force

Military Medal, G.V.R. (1841 Pte. F. Wilson. 10/Aust: Inf:) good very fine £600-700

M.M. London Gazette 19 March 1918. The original recommendation states:

‘After taking part in the demonstration, which his company made against Celtic Wood, east of Ypres, Belgium, on 9th October 1917, Private Wilson carried in a wounded comrade through heavy enemy machine gun fire and artillery fire. His courage and initiative were an inspiration to all those that witnessed his fine work.’

Francis Willson was born in Glenelg, South Australia, and enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force, 30 December 1914. He was posted to join the 10th Australian Infantry Battalion at Gallipoli, 27 May 1915. Wilson was taken ill, 19 August 1915, and evacuated to Alexandria, Egypt, later that month.

Wilson served with the Battalion as part of the 3rd Australian Brigade, 1st Australian Division in the French theatre of war from August 1916. He was awarded his M.M. for gallantry in operations at Celtic Wood, east of Ypres, 9 October 1917. On the latter date 5 officers and 80 other ranks (including Wilson) of the Battalion, were involved in the action - the Battalion suffered casualties of 4 officers killed or wounded and 1 missing, and 66 other ranks killed or wounded.

Wilson returned to Australia in S.S. Suevic, 5 January 1919, and discharged ‘medically unfit’ 17 March 1919.