Auction Catalogue

26 & 27 September 2018

Starting at 11:00 AM

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Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

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Lot

№ 120

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26 September 2018

Hammer Price:
£700

A Great War 1918 ‘Somme’ M.M. awarded to Sergeant C. H. Adams, 53rd Australian Infantry Battalion, Australian Imperial Force, having been gassed, 4 May 1918, Adams went on to distinguish himself during operations near Bellicourt, 30 September - 2 October 1918. He was originally recommended for the D.C.M. for his actions over the course of three days, including leading a platoon charge into no-man’s land to drive off an attempted German counter-attack

Military Medal, G.V.R. (3722 Sjt: C. H. Adams. 53/Aust: Inf:) good very fine £700-900

M.M. London Gazette 14 May 1919. The original recommendation (for a D.C.M.) states:

‘During the operations near Bellicourt, between 30th September and 2nd October 1918, this N.C.O. displayed great personal bravery and powers of leadership. Early in the attack his platoon commander was killed and he at once assumed command and continued the advance, handling his Platoon in a most skilful manner. He has several times organised and personally led bombing parties against enemy strong posts. On one occasion, noticing a German counter-attack corning from a flank, Sergeant Adams collected his platoon and charged out into the open causing the enemy to turn and run after suffering several casualties.

Throughout the whole operation he rendered the greatest assistance to his company commander and set the finest example to the men of his Platoon.’

Charles Henry Adams was born in Albert Park, Melbourne, in 1890, and enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force, at Liverpool, New South Wales, 7 January 1915. He was discharged at his own request upon joining the Instructional Staff, 20 December 1915. Adams re-enlisted for operational service in February 1917, and served with the 53rd Australian Infantry Battalion as part of the 14th Australian Brigade, 5th Australian Division in the French theatre of war from January 1918.

Adams was gassed, 4 May 1918, and upon recuperation rejoined his unit in time to distinguish himself in operations near Bellicourt, Somme, 30 September - 2 October 1918. He returned to Australia in S.S.
Friedrichsurh, 4 April 1919, and was discharged 26 August 1919.