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Auction: 25112 - Orders, Decorations and Medals - e-Auction
Lot: 565

(x) Six: Sergeant E. Aspinall, 2/3rd Pioneer Battalion, Australian Military Forces

1939-1945 Star; Africa Star clasp 8th Army; Pacific Star, these impressed 'NX 54728 E. Aspinall'; Defence and War Medals 1939-45; Australia Service Medal, unnamed, very fine (6)

Four: Signalman K.H. Lonsdale, 11th Australian Signals Division, Australian Military Forces

1939-45 Star; Pacific Star; War Medal 1939-45; Australia Service Medal, all officially impressed 'N 175531 K.H. Lonsdale', very fine (4)

Evan Aspinall was born at Melbourne on 7 December 1918 and was a station hand when he enlisted in the 2nd/3rd Pioneer Battalion on 26 June 1940.

The 2/3rd Australian Pioneer Battalion was raised in May 1940 in Glenfield, New South Wales. As a pioneer Battalion, they served in a dual role as engineers and infantry. They first served in Syria before moving to North Africa and taking part in the Battle of El Alamein. Between August and November 1942, the 2/3rd lost 28 men, but El Alamein was a vital, if bloody, victory for the Allies.

In 1943, the 2/3rd Pioneers returned to Australia for training in jungle warfare against the Japanese. They served at Lae and the Huon Peninsula, seeing their final action at Tarakan during the Borneo campaign.

He was discharged as unfit for service on 8 November 1946 and died on 8 December 1947.

The Gundagai Independent newspaper recently reported that 'The Gundagai RSL Sub-branch recently took possession of a photo album documenting a local soldier's World War II journey (referring to Private Evan Aspinall), ensuring his story endures for generations to come.'

Aspinall is commemorated on the Gundagai District Roll of Honour WW2, and Tumblong War Memorials; sold together with copied research.

Keith Hartley Lonsdale was born at Balmain, New South Wales on 27 August 1922 and enlisted in the C.M.F. at West Ryde, New South Wales on 15 October 1941. Initially posted to the 35th Battalion he was sent to Port Moresby, New Guinea serving in the 53rd Battalion. Arriving back in Brisbane on 1 December 1942, he was sent to the Signals Recruit Battalion before being posted to Port Moresby again on 29 September 1943, this time with the 11th Australian Signals Division. He returned to Australia on 17 May 1944 before returning to Port Moresby on 10 September 1945. Lonsdale was discharged on 22 May 1946; sold together with copied research and a copied group photo of B section, 11th Australian Division signallers which includes Lonsdale.

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

Sold for
£120

Starting price
£60