Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Great War 1918 ‘Somme’ M.M. awarded to Corporal, later Lieutenant, A. E. Schammer, 48th Australian Infantry Battalion, Australian Imperial Force, for gallantry during the attack on Monument Wood near Villers Bretonneux, 3 May 1918

Military Medal, G.V.R. (1983 Cpl. A. E. Schammer. 48/Aust: Inf:) good very fine £600-£700

M.M. London Gazette 13 September 1918. The original recommendation states:

‘For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty near Villers Bretonneux on 3rd May 1918. When the attack was not progressing and part of a Company had been held up by the fire, Lance Corporal Schammer courageously went forward under a murderous fire and collected these men and brought them to our own line. He himself was directly exposed to machine gun and rifle fire the whole time and his coolness and courage were a magnificent example to the men.’

Alfred Edward Schammer was born in Francis, South Australia, and enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force at Adelaide, 24 February 1916. He served with the 48th Australian Infantry Battalion as part of the 12th Australian Brigade, 4th Australian Division in the French theatre of war from November 1916.

Schammer advanced to Lance-Corporal in February 1918, and Corporal in May 1918. He was awarded the M.M. for his gallantry during the Battalion’s attack on Monument Wood near Villers Bretonneux, Somme, 3 May 1918. The Battalion captured 1 officer, 1 medical officer and 20 other ranks, and suffered casualties of 9 officers and 150 other ranks killed or wounded during the attack.

Schammer was commissioned Second Lieutenant with the 48th Battalion, December 1918, and advanced to Lieutenant in March 1919. Schammer returned to Australia in July 1919, and was discharged in October of the same year.