Auction Catalogue

8 December 2021

Starting at 10:00 AM

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Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

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Lot

№ 164

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8 December 2021

Hammer Price:
£2,200

A good Great War 1917 ‘Ypres operations’ stretcher bearers’ M.M. and Second Award Bar awarded to Private A. Robinson, 7th Australian Infantry Battalion, Australian Imperial Force, a veteran of Gallipoli who was later Mentioned in Despatches

Military Medal, G.V.R., with Second Award Bar (2653 Pte A. Robinson. 7/Aust: Inf:) cleaned, very fine £800-£1,000

M.M. London Gazette 11 December 1917.
The original recommendation states: ‘During the operations near Polygon de Zillebeke, east of Ypres, on 20-22nd September 1917. Private Robinson as a stretcher bearer worked with great courage under heavy shellfire, collecting wounded and assisting at the Regimental Aid Post.’

M.M. Second Award Bar
London Gazette 25 January 1918.
The original recommendation states: ‘Near Ypres on 4/5th October 1917 as a stretcher bearer he showed great courage and devotion to duty. Under heavy shellfire he rendered continuous assistance to wounded men. By his energy and coolness he materially assisted in clearing, the wounded from his company sector and then undoubtedly saved many lives.’

M.I.D.
London Gazette 28 October 1919.

Arthur Robinson was born near Talbot, Victoria, Australia in 1890. He served with the Australian Imperial Force in the Gallipoli theatre or war, before serving in the French theatre of war from March 1916.

Robinson is mentioned for his gallantry during operations in Ypres in
Our Dear Old Battalion - The Story of the 7th Battalion, A.I.F., 1914-1919, including:
‘Rather than halting as they entered the mist-covered Glencourse Wood, the two right hand companies ventured a further 500 metres into the shell-shattered wood. Bill Peach who was to win the M.M. that day, described the scene: “The form-up in Glencourse Wood, our three minute barrage, then on it lifting, the quick move forward under its cover looking not unlike the crowd getting away immediately on the finish of a football match. Unfortunately, some of the boys, in their eagerness to press on, failed to await the successive artillery lifts, with the result they got caught up in our own barrage.” The R.M.O. Captain Doug Barlow, followed behind the creeping barrage, and set up the R.A.P. in Remus Wood, and throughout the morning his team of stretcher bearers brought in the wounded for Barlow to dress their wounds, whereupon the casualties were handed over to the field ambulance bearers. Privates William Glasspool, Benjamin Joyner, Percy Payne, and Arthur Robinson (died 29 September 1959) upheld the reputation of the regimental stretcher bearers by constantly going out under heavy shell fire to bring in the wounded, acts which were later recognised by the award of the M.M. to each man.’

Robinson returned to Australia in November 1919, and was discharged in January the following year.