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Auction: 26001 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 263

(x) A 1945 Italy operations M.M. group of ten awarded to Bombardier J. Stewart, Royal Artillery, later Fireman, Melbourne Fire Brigade

Military Medal, G.VI.R. (886344 Bmbr. J. Stewart. R.A.); 1939-1945 Star; Africa Star, with '8' device upon riband; Italy Star; France and Germany Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45, with M.I.D. oak leaf; Australia, National Service Medal, with Additional Service clasp (James Stewart); Melbourne Fire Brigade L.S. & G.C. (J. Stewart 19.10.66); France, Dunkirk Commemorative 1940, mounted court-style as worn, good very fine and a most unusual combination (10)

M.M. London Gazette 17 April 1945. Originally entered under the wrong service number, this latterly corrected. The original recommendation states:

'For conspicuous ability and gallantry. Bombardier Stewart has on a number of occasions shown a complete disregard for his personal safety combined with coolness and efficiency.

At PROMANO on 8 July 44 he was acting as wireless operator with an OP party. When his vehicle was held up by a road block he reconnoitred the route on foot and found that the OP was being strongly counter-attacked.

Without hesitation he returned to his vehicle, drove it to the OP and established a ground station in the open and proceeded to pass fire orders regardless of the heavy shelling and mortar fire all around him. On the following day the house in which the OP was established received several direct hits and Bdrs Stewarts wireless set was damaged. He dismantled the set, repaired the damage and re-established communications. While doing this the house received several more direct hits and a number for persons in the building were injured.

On 15 and 16 July 44 on Mt. CEDRONE when the telephone line from the OP was cut by enemy shell fire he repaired the breaks which were on an exposed stretch of ground although enemy shells and mortar rounds were still falling in the immediate vicinity.'

M.I.D. London Gazette 26 April 1945.

James Stewart was born at Dennistown, Glasgow on 24 September 1920 and was a shipwright apprentice upon his joining the Royal Artillery on 12 October 1938.

With the outbreak of the Second World War, he served with the British Expeditionary Force in France & Belgium from 24 September 1939-18 June 1940. Thence serving in Africa and Italy, when he took his M.M. with 32 Heavy Regiment, Royal Artillery, he also saw service during the North-West Europe campaign.

Transferred to the Reserve in July 1946, he then moved out to Australia and served many happy years in the Melbourne Fire Brigade.

Sold together with Soldier's Service & Army Book, Soldier's Release Book and Certificate of Service, all housed within the original outer box in which the M.M. would have been sent.


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

Estimate
£1,400 to £1,800

Starting price
£1100