Lot 54
Australian at Gallipoli in “Jacka’s Mob”
"Behind The Wire" - Medal and Militaria Sale | M25001
Auction: 17 September 2025 at 14:00 BST
Description
A 1914-15 Star and Victory Medal awarded to Sergeant Ernest Hunter 14th Battalion Australian Imperial Forces who landed in Gallipoli on the 26th of April 1915, wounded in June and evacuated in August Sick. The 14th Battalion had amongst its ranks Lance Corporal Albert Jacka, who earned the Victoria Cross for bravery during a Turkish counterattack in May. For the next two months they undertook defensive operations as the beachhead was established before being committed to the August Offensive during which they were involved in attacks upon Hill 971 and Hill 60 comprising 1914-15 Star, (220 Pte E. Hunter. 14/ Bn. A.I.F.), 1914-1919 Victory Medal, (220 Sgt. E. Hunter 14 Bn. A.I.F.), toned fine (2)
Ernest Hunter a Storeman from Sunderland joined the Australian Imperial Forces, 14th Battalion on the 21st of September 1914. He was Court Martialled on the 22nd of January 1916 for being Absent without Leave after Furlough in London. In his Defence He Said his Brother who he had not seen for many years was coming back from France on leave and that he applied in writing to Horseferry Road for an extension of his leave. He states
“ I landed with my Battalion on the 26th of April 1915 as a Lance Corporal, I was Promoted Corporal in July and Sergeant in August, I was complimented by Captain Henry for my work on August the 10th and subsequently promoted and was subsequently complimented for outpost duty. I left the Peninsula on the 20th of August with enteric fever but was slightly wounded in June. I was in hospital from August to November during which I suffered severely.”
He was given the punishment of loss of Seniority in Rank due to his unblemished character and gallantry in the field.
He left England on the 30th of January 1918 arriving in Melbourne on the 21st of March 1918, he was Discharged Medically Unfit on the 4th of May 1918.
Sold with Copy Service Papers and 1914-15 Star Ribband Bar.
