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Auction: 23112 - Orders, Decorations and Medals - e-Auction
Lot: 471

(x) Three: Sergeant S. B. Knight, 20th Battalion, Australian Imperial Force, late 'D' Company, Australian Naval & Military Expeditionary Force, who was part of the Australian Force which captured German New Guinea only to later be invalided after suffering a serious gunshot wound in France on 6 January 1917

1914-15 Star (987 Pte. S. B. Knight. 1/A.N.&M.E.F.); British War and Victory Medals (987 Sjt. S. B. Knight. 1 A.N. & M.E.F.), good very fine (3)

Stuart Bertram Knight was born at Brisbane, Queensland, Australia and worked as a box maker prior to enlisting on 16 August 1914. Serving with 'D' Company, Australian Naval & Military Expeditionary Force he was part of the expeditionary force which captured German New Guinea. A short battle was fought at Simpsonshafen outside a German wireless station which resulted in 7 casualties. The Governor, Dr. Haber, surrendered the colony on 15 September 1914.

Knight was discharged on 4 March 1915 and enlisted with the 20th Battalion, Australian Imperial Force. Embarking on H.M.A.T. Berrima on 25 June 1915 he entered the war at Gallipoli. Knight remained there until 9 January 1916 when he was evacuated to Alexandria. Transferred to the Western Front on 25 March 1916 he was promoted Sergeant there on 16 August 1916. Seriously wounded in the left leg and foot on 7 January 1917 and taken to 36 Casualty Clearing Station.

Taken from there to the 10th General Hospital on 8 January it was realised that his wound was too serious for on-site treatment and he was invalided to Britain later that month. Embarked for Australia on 13 September 1917, Knight was discharged on 5 February 1918; sold together with an original casualty card, postcards written by the recipient and an Australian Imperial League badge numbered to '34539' as well as copied service papers and an extract from 'How Australia took German New Guinea'.

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

Sold for
£750

Starting price
£210