Australian Army Museum of Western Australia > Records

Medal Group - 450 PHILLIPS, 44 Battalion

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Overview

Medal Group of 5 medals from World War 1 and World War 2 including Distinguished Conduct Medal awarded to 450 Private (later Lieutenant) Roy Robert Phillips. The medals are unmounted and have replacement ribbons.

Historical information

The 44th Battalion was an infantry unit of the Australian Army. Raised at Claremont, Western Australia, in February 1916, the battalion formed part of the 11th Brigade, which was part of the 3rd Division, which was formed as part of an expansion of the all-volunteer Australian Imperial Force (AIF). The battalion fought in the trenches along the Western Front in France and Belgium between late 1916 and 1918, before disbanding at the conclusion of hostilities.
In 1921, Australia's part-time military force was reorganised to perpetuate the numerical designations of the AIF, and the 44th Battalion was re-raised at this time, drawing personnel from the 16th, 28th and 51st Infantry Regiments. Through its link with these units, the battalion inherited the theatre honour "South Africa 1899–1902". Despite the widespread Defence cutbacks that occurred in the 1920s and 1930s, the battalion remained in existence throughout the Great Depression, even when other units were amalgamated as manpower became scarce. In 1927, the battalion adopted the title of the "West Australian Rifles. The majority of the battalion was based in Perth during this time, but a single company was raised at Bunbury.[15]
During World War II, it undertook garrison duties in Australia and was later gazetted as an AIF unit after the majority of its personnel volunteered to do so, it was never Post World War II the 44th was amalgamated with the 11th Battalion, before being subsumed into the Royal Western Australia Regiment in 1960.

Details

Registration number

cwa-org-32-54-895

Inscriptions and markings

The Group consists of: Distinguished Conduct Medal, British War Medal, Victory Medal (All awarded for World War 1 Service), and the War Medal 1939-45 and Australian Service Medal 1939-45 (Awarded for World War 2 Service).

Distinguished Conduct Medal
'Leadership and fearlessness in attack on Green Line beyond Bethleem farm on 8 June 1917.'

'For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty in commanding his platoon when his officer had been killed, holding on to an apparently impossible position, and consolidating it in face of a concentrated barrage. By his coolness and devotion he set a splendid example to his men.'
Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 450
Date: 20 December 1917

Contextual Information

This Medal Group is displayed in the Traditions Gallery at the Australian Army Museum of Western Australia.

Links to additional resources

Service Summary

Service Records

Distinguished Conduct Medal

Court or Swing Mounted

Australian Army Museum of Western Australia

Organisation Details
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