Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Six: Sapper J. Harris, Royal Australian Engineers

1939-45 Star; Africa Star, 1 clasp, 8th Army; Pacific Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45; Australia Service Medal, all officially named ‘VX37377 J. Harris’; together with a scarce ‘theatre-made’ Rats of Tobruk Medal 1941, the reverse numbered ‘148’, nearly extremely fine, the last scarce (7) £180-£220

John Harris was born at Battle, Sussex, and having emigrated to Australia attested for the Royal Australian Engineers at Melbourne on 11 July 1940. Posted to 2/3 Field Company, he served during the Second World War in the Middle East and North Africa from 14 May 1941. Re-embarked for Australia on 24 January 1943 he subsequently served in New Guinea from 20 September 1943 to 25 February 1944, and was discharged on 6 May 1944. He died at Black Rock, Victoria, in 1970.

The exact events regarding the creation of the Rats of Tobruk Medal are unclear although it is believed that they were first created by men from 2/3 Field Company, Royal Australian Engineers, possibly by utilising metal from a downed German aircraft. There are several different versions though the version included here appears to be an original numbered first version.

Sold with copied service papers and other research.