Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Great War 1917 ‘Battle of Messines’ M.M. group of four awarded to Private A. Savery, 4th Australian Pioneer Battalion, Australian Imperial Force

Military Medal, G.V.R. (4182 Pte. A. Savery. 4/Pr Bn. Aust: I.F.); British War and Victory Medals (4182 Pte. A. Savery 16 Bn. A.I.F.); Defence Medal, mounted for wear, generally good very fine (4) £600-£800

M.M. London Gazette 16 August 1917. The original recommendation states:

‘On the afternoon of June 10th 1917, he accompanied a reconnaissance party working in front of Messines under close observation and continued sniping by the enemy. The Officer in charge was mortally wounded and Private Savery was sent back across the open four times with important messages under heavy fire. On one return trip, although he is of very small stature, he brought back a stretcher for his wounded officer. Throughout the operations he has shown great courage and has set an excellent example.’

Arthur Savery was born in Manchester, England, in 1895. An engineer by trade, he enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force at Adelaide, South Australia, 21 August 1915. The following year he embarked for Egypt to be taken on strength by the 48th Australian Infantry Battalion. Savery transferred to the 4th Pioneer Battalion, and served in the French theatre of war from June 1916.

Savery was awarded the M.M. for his gallantry near Messines, 10 June 1917. On the latter date the unit War Diary records that that 'B' and 'D' Company's were working on communication trenches in that area, and that Lieutenant J. C. D. Reid was shot in the head and died the same day.

Savery returned to Australia in June 1919, and died in June 1981.