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Auction: 25113 - Orders, Decorations and Medals - e-Auction
Lot: 240

(x) An M.M. winner's Australian Service Medal awarded to Company Sergeant Major A. H. Harrison, 2/32nd Battalion, Australian Imperial Force, who was decorated for his bravery in the Defence of Tobruk

Australia Service Medal 1939-45, officially impressed 'VX 22425 A.J. Harrison', very fine

[M.M.] London Gazette 28 November 1941, the original recommendation starts

'During the night 13/14 September 1941 at Tobruk, WO Harrison acted as CSM in a raiding party of 3 officers and 66 OR's of D Company of an infantry Battalion which raided a strongly defended locality approx. 7000 yards south of the perimeter in square 418181/419414. WO Harrison moved to the attack with two sappers about 1000 yards in advance and on the right flank of the leading platoon. One of the sappers was killed and the gap in the ire was not blown. WO Harrison then moved across to a gap that had been blown on his left and found the leading platoon had gone through but the second platoon had stopped and were turning back owing to a heavy mortar fire and the loss of their platoon commander who was killed. WO Harrison rallied this platoon and led them through the gap under heavy mortar and machine gun fire. The raid was entirely successful. After the initial assault WO Harrison further detected several men to engage an enemy light machine gun post, whilst he looked for more men to encircle this post but could not find any at that stage. He then discovered in another enemy post an anti-tank gun which he destroyed with grenades. He remained in the enemy position for a few minutes after this to assist our wounded. His courage, initiative and leadership largely contributed to the success of the raid.'

Alexander James Harrison was born at Hay, New South Wales on 11 February 1915. A garage hand and truck driver, he enlisted in the Australian Military Force at Melbourne on 10 June 1940 as a private soldier. He embarked for the Middle East and was posted to the 2/32nd Battalion for operations in Tobruk and El Alamein. Steady promotions followed to Sergeant in April 1941 and Warrant Officer class II in June 1941.

He was awarded the Military Medal for gallantry at Tobruk when he took part in a raid and extricated survivors of his raiding party.

Harrison attended the Middle East Officer Cadet Training Unit on 16 November 1942 before being posted to Sydney to the OCTU at Woodside and commissioned Lieutenant on 1 August 1943. Posted to New Guinea with the 14/32 Battalion on 14 May 1944 he took part in the operations at Bougainville on 21 November 1944. He was discharged on 3 September 1945; sold together with copied research.

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

Estimate

Starting price
£60