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Auction: 25112 - Orders, Decorations and Medals - e-Auction
Lot: 211

(x) The British War Medal awarded to Lieutenant J. W. A. Mills, 19th Battalion Australian Imperial Force who had his appointment terminated in 1917 following a court of enquiry into his conduct, a decision which was later reversed when he was granted the honorary rank of Lieutenant

Mills also served in the Australian Military Forces during the Second World War
British War Medal 1914-20 (Lieut J W A Mills. A.I.F.), very fine

John Wilson Archibald Mills was born at Picton, New South Wales on 27 June 1894, the son of Doctor A.E. Mills of 'The Albany', Macquarie Street, Sydney. A station bookkeeper he enlisted in the A.I.F. on 1 April 1915 and posted to the 19th Battalion transport section.

Commissioned 2nd Lieutenant in the 1st Battalion on 8 December 1915, he was discharged medically unfit and his appointment terminated on 3 July 1917 following a court of enquiry into his conduct (the full details of the enquiry are not with the accompanying research). It was determined however that given contradictory evidence and inconclusive findings of the court that he be granted the honorary rank of Lieutenant on discharge.

On 28 June 1918 he was appointed a Temporary Lieutenant in the Royal Marines serving with them until 1919.

On 14 July 1942, Mills, then a forty-eight-year-old farmer and grazier, enlisted in the Australian Military Forces and was granted the rank of Lieutenant; sold together with copied research.

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

Sold for
£45

Starting price
£40