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Auction: 25111 - Orders, Decorations and Medals - e-Auction
Lot: 574

(x) Seven: Staff Sergeant W. H. Davis, 19th Infantry Brigade, 6th Division, Australian Force, who saw service with his unit in Greece

1939-45 Star; Africa Star; Pacific Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45; Australian Service Medal 1939-45, all officially named 'WX371 W. H. Davis'; Greece, Kingdom, War Medal 1940-41, good very fine (7)

William Henderson Davis was born on 21 June 1916 and worked as a miner prior to enlisting on 7 November 1939 with the Australian Imperial Force. Initially joining the 2/11th Battalion he was embarked in spring 1940 and arrived in the Middle East on 18 May. Transferred to the Australian Army Service Corps, Davis was detached to serve with the 19th Australian Infantry Brigade on 17 June 1940.

Transferred to the Brigade Headquarters he was promoted Corporal while there on 28 October, the unit was in action just three months later at the Battle of Bardia. Davis embarked for Greece just two months after the action in March 1941.

There the 19th Brigade was rushed into action to stem the German advance, seeing their first engagement at the Battle of Vevi just a week after their arrival. They were driven back over the course of the month, finding themselves on the 'Thermopylae Line' by 24 April. Holding their ground there for two days the Brigade was finally evacuated on 26 April.

He was present with the Brigade in Crete and later Davis joined them in Palestine in June 1941. Here they saw heavy action, with two men of the Brigade earning the V.C. in June and July. Davis was advanced Sergeant on 8 October 1941 and Warrant Officer Class II on 1 January 1942.

Returning to the Middle East in February 1942 he was to serve there for over a year before returning to Australia on 31 October 1943. Posted to 2/2 Australian Pioneer Battalion on 19 November 1943, he joined the action at New Guinea being stationed in the Buna Base Area from 27 January 1944. There Davis was advanced Staff Sergeant on 2 September 1944, moving to Bougainville in September and finally being demobilised on 19 January 1945; sold together with copied research and a copied photograph.

Subject to 5% tax on Hammer Price in addition to 20% VAT on Buyer’s Premium.

Estimate

Starting price
£100