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Auction: 20003 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 279

A Great War 'Glencorse Wood September 1917' M.M. and 'Bellicourt September 1918' Bar awarded to Lance Corporal O. L. Sims, 15th & 8th Field Ambulance, Australian Army Medical Corps, Australian Imperial Force, a determined stretcher bearer who was originally recommended for a D.C.M. for his first decoration and saved the lived of countless Aussies and Americans for his second action during which he led his Squad for 36 hours without rest

Military Medal, G.V.R., with Second Award Bar (6900 Pte. O. L. Sims. 15/F. A. Aust. A.M.C.); 1914-15 Star (6900 Pte. O. L. Sims. 8 F. Amb. A.I.F.); British War and Victory Medals (6900 L-Cpl. O. L. Sims. 8 F. Amb. A.I.F.), the first with contact marks, very fine, the remainder better (4)

M.M. London Gazette 12 December 1917. The original recommendation - for a D.C.M. - states:

'Near Glencorse Wood, east of Hooge, on the night of 20 September 1917, this Private showed great courage and determination. After several unsuccessful attempts had been made to find the Left Regimental Aid Post in Glencorse Wood, which had been newly established, Private Sims led his squad out and by dint of sheer courage and determination, despite heavy enemy shell fire and the darkness of the night, succeeded in locating the R.A.P. He and his squad brought back a wounded man to the Relay Post and then guided up fresh bearers. Prior to this action, this Private and his squad had done much heavy carrying, His action won the confidence and admiration of all his comrades.'

Second Award Bar to M.M. London Gazette 14 May 1919:

'This N.C.O. on the 29th and 30th September 1918 at Bellicourt carried continuously under Machine Gun and heavy Shell Fire for 36 hours. At intervals during the night he also had to carry through Gas. This N.C.O. showed a fine example to his Squad, and through his courage and endurance, many wounded, both Australian and American were safely evacuated to the Wagon Loading Post.'

Oliver Leonard Sims was born on 11 June 1896 at Kensington, South Australia. Sims had been served three years in the 79th Senior Cadets but had been rejected from the Citizen Forces on account of his height. He was an engine cleaner upon the South Australia Railway upon his enlistment on 2 June 1915, by this time measuring 5ft 3 inches.

Embarked from Australia on 10 November 1915, he saw his initial service with the 8th Field Ambulance. He earned his first decoration during the night of 20 September 1917 when the 1st Australian Division took Glencorse Wood, to the west of Polygon Wood. Admitted to hospital on account of venereal disease from 21 October-14 December, he was soon back at his post, being wounded in action on 9 April 1918. Having earned a Bar to his M.M. during the battle of St. Quentin Canal, Sims was discharged on 20 October 1919; sold together with copied portrait photograph and full Service Record.

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Sold for
£2,100

Starting price
£1000