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Auction: 24112 - Orders, Decorations and Medals - e-Auction
Lot: 400

The campaign group of four awarded to Private E. C. Gittoes, 59th Battalion, Australian Imperial Force, late Australian Bushmen, who was killed in action on 19 July 1916 at Fromelles

Queen's South Africa 1899-1902, 2 clasps, Transvaal, South Africa 1902 (147 Tpr: E. C. Gittoes. Imp: Bshmn: Contg:); 1914-15 Star (2213 Pte E. C. Gittoes. 7 Bn. A.I.F.); British War and Victory Medals (2213 Pte. E. C. Gittoes. 7 Bn. A.I.F.), good very fine (4)

Ernest Claude Gittoes was born at Wagga Wagga, New South Wales, the son of Arthur Gittoes of Sydney. He served with the Imperial Bushmen during the Anglo-Boer War and returned to Australia after the conflict. Enlisting initially with the 21st Battalion, Australian Imperial Force on 19 May 1915 Gittoes joined the 7th Battalion in Gallipoli on 5 March 1915.

Admitted to hospital on Mudros with Jaundice in October 1915 he rejoined the Battalion just before the withdrawal back to Egypt. Transferring to the 59th Battalion and embarked with them on 13 June 1916, disembarking at Marseille on 29 June.

The Battalion went into action for the first time at the Battle of Fromelles on 19 July 1916. Met with heavy machine gun fire at the wire they suffered enormous losses including Gittoes who was initially reported missing but later confirmed to have been killed in action. He is commemorated at the V.C. Corner Australian Cemetery and Memorial, Fromelles; sold together with copied medal roll and service papers.

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Sold for
£1,000

Starting price
£420