A rare 1915 Gallipoli campaign Military Medal group of four to Private P.C. Francisco, “F” Company, 6th Australian Infantry Battalion, who had served with the Battalion since its first engagement and displayed great bravery, untiring energy and devotion to duty as a stretcher bearer.
Four:Military Medal, G.V.R. (706 PTE. P. C. FRANCISCO, 6/AUST. INF. BN.); 1914-15 Star (706 PTE. P. C. FRANCISCO, 6/Bn. A.I.F.) British War and Victory Medals (706 PTE. P. C. FRANCISCO, 6/Bn. A.I.F.), court-mounted for display.
Condition: Light contact wear, Good Very Fine.
Provenance. Noble Auctions, Australia, 26 Nov. 2010, lot 4316 ($15000 hammer)
Percy Carr Francisco of 22 Plant Street, Westgarth, Victoria, enlisted in the 6th Battalion at Melbourne in 1914 having seen prior service with the 58th Infantry. A Driver by trade, he served as one of the battalion’s stretcher-bearers. The unit embarked for Gallipoli aboard HMAT A20Hororataon 19 Aug 1914. He was awarded the Military Medal for bravery during the Gallipoli campaign.
Military Medal, G.V.R. Commonwealth Gazette 19 April 1917. The recommendation state:
‘He has been with the Battalion since first engagement and has displayed great bravery, untiring energy and devotion to duty as a stretcher bearer. I cannot speak too highly of this man whose good work has been conspicuous on every occasion.’
Francisco returned to Australia on 16 October 1918.
