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Auction: 22103 - Orders, Decorations and Medals VII - e-Auction
Lot: 450

(x) A tragic family collection of two awarded to brothers killed on service with the 27th Battalion, Australian Imperial Force:

Four: Lance-Corporal H. S. Dorling, 27th Battalion, Australian Imperial Force, who was killed in action on 20 September 1917 during the Battle of Passchendaele

1914-15 Star (1913 Pte H. S. Dorling. 27/Bn. A.I.F.); British War Medal 1914-20 (1913 L-Cpl. H. S. Dorling. 27-Bn. A.I.F.); Victory Medal 1914-19 (1913 L.Cpl H. S. Dorling 27 Bn A.I.F.), unofficially re-impressed naming; Great War Bronze Memorial Plaque (Harry Stuart Dorling), overall good very fine (4)

Three: Private A. J. Dorling, 27th Battalion, Australian Imperial Force, who died of wounds on 5 August 1916 at No. 13 Australian Field Ambulance

British War and Victory Medals (1912 Pte. A. J. Dorling. 27-Bn. A.I.F.); Great War Bronze Memorial Plaque (Arnold John Dorling), minor contact marks, very fine (3)

Harry Stuart Dorling was born in Hindmarsh, South Australia around 1884, the son of Son of William and Harriett Dorling, of "Brundella," Gorram Avenue, Clarence Park, South Australia. His service papers note 12 months previous service with 'C' Company Volunteers. Enlisting with 27th Battalion, Australian Imperial Force on 13 May 1915 he embarked as part of 3rd Reinforcements aboard the transport Morea on 26 August 1915. Joining the Battalion at Gallipoli on 12 October 1915 where they were stationed in a number of places around the line, notably Cheshire Ridge. Embarking again aboard the Osmania on 12 December to Mudros Harbour before going on towards Alexandria which they reached on 10 January 1916.

From here the Battalion travelled to Marseilles, disembarking on 21 March 1916, promoted Lance-Corporal on 20 August he served in France for the next year but suffered for the poor conditions there. Suffering from Lumbago and Myalgia in November and Trench Foot in January 1917. Reverting to the rank of Private as a result of incompetence on 2 August that year, he was killed in action on 20 September 1917 when the Battalion was launched into the assault at the Battle of Menin Ridge Road. He is commemorated upon the Menin Gate memorial; sold together with copied research including service papers, medical records and newspaper extracts as well as casualty lists.

Arnold John Dorling was born at Parkside, South Australia on 7 November 1892, the son of William and Harriet Dorling of Marion Street, New Parkside. Working as a Tinsmith prior to enlistment with 27th Battalion on 18 May 1915, Dorling entered the war in France on 12 October 1915 as part of the 3rd Reinforcements. While there they saw action at Cheshire Ridge and Mule Valley, defending stretches of trench line from the increasingly strengthened Ottoman forces. Evacuated to Mudros on 12 December 1915 and then to Egypt aboard the Osmania on 10 January 1916 they arrived at Marseilles on 21 March 1916 ready for action in France.

Held in reserve for the opening actions of the Battle of the Somme they joined the fighting at La Boiselle on 4 August 1916. The attack was poorly managed with the Battalion arriving late to its positions and the advance of the reserves becoming lost in the smoke of the battlefield. Despite this some gains were made. However they faced a major counter attack the next day which was only turned back at a heavy cost. It was on this day that Dorling died- of the wounds he had sustained from shrapnel to his left hand, thigh and hip- at No. 13 Australian Field Ambulance. He is buried at Warloy-Baillon Communal Cemetery Extension; sold together with service records, medical records and newspaper extracts as well as casualty lists.

Further entitled to the 1914-15 Star.


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

Sold for
£350

Starting price
£210

Sale 22103 Notices
Further sold together with both volumes of The Blue and Brown Diamond - History of the 27th Battalion on Active Service.