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Auction: 25111 - Orders, Decorations and Medals - e-Auction
Lot: 576

(x) The campaign group of five awarded to Senior Commissioned Electrical Officer F. J. Dudley, Royal Australian Navy who served aboard H.M.A.S. Australia from July 1942 until August 1944, where she saw heavy action in the Pacific alongside American forces

1939-45 Star; Africa Star; Burma Star, clasp Pacific; War Medal 1939-45; Australia Service Medal, all officially impressed 'F.J. Dudley. R.A.N.', sold together with his corresponding dress miniatures, very fine (5)

Francis John Dudley was born at Laneroo, South Australia, son of Ivon Dudley on 29 October 1913. He enlisted in the Royal Australian Navy on 5 June 1934 and appointed to HMAS Kangaroo until 10 April 1936 before being posted to Australia. On 22 June 1942 he was posted to the naval depot Cerberus until 6 July 1942.

On 7 July 1942 having been recently appointed Warrant Electrician, he was posted back to the cruiser Australia. On 7 August 1942 she escorted American marines to the landing at Guadalcanal. Later that year she operated with American carriers in the Battle of the Solomons and in 1943 she operated continuously in the Coral Sea area in company with HMAS Hobart which was later sunk by a Japanese submarine.

From December 1943 until September 1944, she was flag ship to Task 74 in several operational landings, Dudley however left Australia on 4 August 1944 and spent the remainder of the war shore based at Cerberus. Promoted to Senior Commissioned Electrical Officer on 1 October 1949, Dudley resigned his commission on 30 September 1952. He died at the young age of 47 on 21 October 1960; sold together copy service records.

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

Estimate

Starting price
£70