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Auction: 22003 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 280

A very complete Great War group of four awarded to Private J. Fenwick, 17th Battalion, Australian Imperial Force, a veteran of Gallipoi, having been transferred to the Western Front he was Recommeded for the D.C.M. for commanding a Trench Raid on 1 March 1917; Fenwick was to be mortally wounded little more than a month later

1914-15 Star (1191 Pte. J. Fenwick. 17 Bn. A.I.F.); British War and Victory Medals (1191 Pte. J. Fenwick. 17 Bn. A.I.F.); Great War Bronze Memorial Plaque (James Fenwick), all these in their original named card boxes and postage envelopes of issue, extremely fine (Lot)

Recommended for the D.C.M. on 5 March 1917, this being approved - but never having been promulgated - by the Brigadier-General Commanding 5th Infantry Brigade:

'On 1 March 1917 he displayed conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. Was the leading man of a raiding party when he came into contact with 5 of the enemy in No Man's Land. He dashed forward, throwing a bomb at them (with the pin in so that he would not endanger his comrades) and hit one of them. He then grappled with another of the enemy and took him prisoner. During counter attack he displayed great vigour and coolness in driving back the enemy.'

James Fenwick was born at Bulli, New South Wales in 1893 and was a horse driver and groom living at Helensburgh upon his joining the Australian Imperial Force at Sydney on 30 January 1915. He served in the Middle East with 'D' Company of the 17th Battalion from May 1915 and landed on Gallipoli on 16 August 1915. He was evacuated to the 1st Australian General Hospital and thence to Alexandria suffering with influenza on 15 September 1915. Returned to Gallipoli on the Royal George on 8 November 1915, he was disembarked at Alexandria in January 1916 and was sentenced to six months hard labour by General Court Martial on 8 March 1916. Fenwick had forged a pass and gone absent without leave - being arrested whilst out in Cairo - at the end of January 1916. He was also found not guilty of stealing goods from a sleeping soldier. Returned to Australia on the Seeang Bee as a prisoner, he was re-embarked at Sydney on 7 October 1916 with the 16th Reinforcement Group. Fenwick rejoined his unit on the Western Front on 17 January 1917 and distinguished himself on 1 March 1917. He was mortally wounded on 15 April 1917, having been shot in the stomach. Despite treatment at the 3rd Casualty Clearing Station, he succumbed to his wounds the following day and is buried in the Grevilliers British Cemetery.

Besides the aforementioned original material, the Lot is accompanied by his widow's riband, this officially numbered '4992' as noted on his Service Record and delivered to his widow at 92 Windsor Street, Paddington and a 'sunburst' A.I.F. cap Badge.

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Sold for
£750

Starting price
£350