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Auction: 24003 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 188

(x) A Battle of Rafa 1917 D.C.M. group of four awarded to Trooper A. Currie, 9th Australian Light Horse Regiment, a veteran of the Gallipoli campaign who was also wounded in the action which earned his decoration

Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R. (645 Tpr: A. Currie. 9/Aust: Lt. Horse. R.); 1914-15 Star (645 Pte. A. Currie. 9/L. H. Rgt. A.I.F.); British War Medal 1914-20 (645 Dvr. A. Currie. 9/L. H. Rgt. A.I.F.); Victory Medal 1914-19, with M.I.D. oak leaves (645. A. Currie. ANZ.), mounted as worn by his family in reverse order, a little polished overall, very fine (4)

D.C.M. London Gazette 24 April 1917:

'For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. Although himself wounded he tended a wounded comrade under very heavy fire.'

M.I.D. London Gazette 6 July 1917.

Alfred Currie was born in Adelaide in 1885 and was a labourer by trade upon his joining the 9th Light Horse in November 1914. Serving with 'B' Squadron, he landed on Gallipoli on 16 May 1915 and was charged for disobeying the order of a superior Officer on 7 August 1915. That originally carried a sentence of 2 years imprisonment. That was eventually reduced to 1 year Field Punishment and then to 3 months Field Punishment by Major-General Sir A. J. Godley on 12 September 1915. Remaining on Gallipoli, he was attached to the 3rd Light Horse Brigade whilst awaiting his punishment and returned to his unit on 15 November 1915. Whilst on Gallipoli, the unit were in the reserve for the Battle of the Nek but shared in the attack at Hill 60 on 27 August, which resulted in the death of the replacement commanding officer Lieutenant-Colonel Carew Reynell.

Withdrawn from their positions, the unit thence joined the Sinai and Palestine campaign. Currie was himself wounded by gun shot to his right arm and earned his D.C.M. at the Battle of Rafa on 9 January 1917. The month before they had gone in at the Battle of Magdhaba at bayonet point. Currie would be removed to Cairo to have his wounds tended, before joining the ANZAC Signallling Squadron. He variously then went sick on several occasions, before gastoenteritis meant he would be embarked upon the Hospital Ship Karoola for Australia.

In March 1966, his Victory Medal was stolen from him whilst living at 61 Beatrice Street, Prospect, with an official replacement being approved and issued; sold together with a good selection of photographs from the campaign featuring Currie, besides the HS Karoola souvenir booklet, in which his name is listed.

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

Estimate
£1,600 to £2,000

Starting price
£1300