Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Great War 1917 ‘Second Battle of Bullecourt’ M.M. group of four awarded to stretcher bearer, Private A. J. Maguire, 7th Field Ambulance, Australian Army Medical Corps, Australian Imperial Force, who had been previously wounded in action whilst serving in Gallipoli, 9 October 1915

Military Medal, G.V.R. (3625 Pte A. J. Maguire. 7/F.A. Aust: A.M.C.); 1914-15 Star (3625 Pte. A. J. Maguire 7/F. Amb. A.I.F.); British War and Victory Medals (3625 Pte. A. J. Maguire 7 F. Amb. A.I.F.) mounted for wear, generally good very fine (4) £700-£900

M.M. London Gazette 9 July 1917. The original recommendation states:

‘Pte. Maguire was conspicuous on May 3rd 1917 for the cool and daring way in which he repeatedly carried wounded from the R.A.P. 21st Battalion east of Bullecourt through a heavy enemy barrage to safety.’

Allan James Maguire was born in Kilkenny, South Australia, in 1896. He enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force, 29 December 1914. He served as a stretcher bearer with the 7th Field Ambulance, Australian Medical Corps, as part of the M.E.F. in Gallipoli from September 1915. Maguire was wounded in action, 9 October 1915 and evacuated to Malta.

Having recuperated from his wound, Maguire returned to his unit and served with them in the French theatre of war from September 1916. He was awarded the M.M. for his gallantry during the first day of the Second Battle of Bullecourt, Somme, 3 May 1917. Fourteen men of the 7th Field Ambulance were awarded M.M.s for gallantry on the latter date.

Maguire returned to Australia, 6 May 1919, and was discharged 15 September 1919.