Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Great War 1917 ‘Ypres’ M.M. awarded to Sergeant R. Hindes, 18th Battery, 6th Brigade, Australian Field Artillery, Australian Imperial Force

Military Medal, G.V.R. (29603 Gnr: R. Hindes. 18/By: 6 A. Bde: Aust: F.A.) generally good very fine £500-£600

M.M. London Gazette 16 August 1917. The original recommendation (jointly listed with Corporal E. W. Mattner, Bombardiers W. C. Chambers and C. Fullgrave, and Gunner W. J. F. Sage) states:

‘At Plogesteert, Belgium, on 1st June 1917 these non-commissioned officers and men were under the orders of Major E. T. Dean whilst the 18th Battery was being heavily shelled, displayed the greatest bravery and devotion to duty in extinguishing, on three separate occasions, fires which had broken out from the hostile shelling in three gun-pits of the battery and in several ammunition dumps. Whilst the gun-pits were on fire, and the ammunition in them and several dumps surrounding the battery were exploding, they brought buckets of water to the battery commander who was standing on top of the pit being dealt with, and worked in the pits with him putting out the fire. They subsequently put out the burning dumps, on more than one occasion boxes exploding whilst they were handling the dump. On the pits again catching fire under heavy shelling they returned in the face of it and successfully renewed their efforts. Their disregard for personal safety, fine devotion and determination undoubtedly saved the guns and a large quantity of ammunition, 1,500 rounds only being destroyed out of some 5,000 stored at these pits.’

Rolon Hindes was born in Milang, South Australia in 1884. He was employed as a train driver before enlisting in the Australian Imperial Force, 5 March 1916.

Hindes was posted to the 118th Howitzer Battery in September 1916, and transferred to the 18th Battery, 6th (Army) Brigade, Australian Field Artillery in March 1917. He served with the latter in the French theatre of war from March 1917, and distinguished himself in action at Ypres, 1 June 1917.

Hindes advanced to Temporary Sergeant, and contracted pneumonia in 1919 whilst still in service. He returned to Australia in September 1919, and was discharged in December of the same year.