A Second World War North Africa and New Guinea operations Australian Efficiency Medal group awarded to Sergeant C.G. Hunter, 2/2nd Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment and later 156th Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment, Australian Military Forces who saw wartime service in both North Africa and New Guinea.
Group of 7: 1939-1945 Star; Africa Star; Pacific Star; Defence Medal; War Medal; Australia Service Medal; (VX23059 D.G. HUNTER.) Efficiency Medal, GVIR 1st type; fixed Australia Suspender; engraved naming (VX23059 SGT. C.G. HUNTER. A.I.F.) loose-mounted for wear.
Condition: loose-mounted for wear, Good Very Fine
Along with:
Ribbon bar for 1939-1945 Star; Africa Star and Pacific Star
Ribbon bar for Defence Medal; War Medal; Australia Service Medal; Efficiency Medal
Ribbon bar for War Medal; Efficiency Medal
Donald Geoffrey Hunter was born in Traralgon, Victoria on 23rd April 1920 and attested on 5th June 1940 giving his trade as a rigger. He would be posted to the 2/2nd Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment on 15th June 1940, he would be admitted to hospital due to a reaction to a vaccination on 16tth August 1940, being discharged to duty on 20th August 1940.
He would embark at Melbourne on 5th February 1941 before disembarking in the Middle East on 17th March 1941. He would be reprimanded on 24th March 1941 for disobeying a lawful command given by his superior officer. He would then attend a Cadre course from 7th to 19th May 1941 before rejoining his unit. He would leave the Middle East on 17th February 1942 before arriving back in Australia on 17th March 1942.
Subsequently he would be transferred to the III Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment, Australian Military Forces before being taken on strength of the 2/2nd Anti Aircraft Regiment on 3rd June 1942.
Promoted Bombardier on 5th June 1942, he would be appointed a Lance Sergeant on 2nd July 1942 and promoted to Sergeant 30th July 1942. He would be detached to the Anti-Aircraft school of gunnery on 25th June 1942, before hre rejoined his unit on 15th July 1942. He would lacerate the 5th Diget of his right hand on 14th August 1942.
On 26th October 1942 he would embark the Duntroon with the 156th Light Anti-Aircraft Battery and sailed to New Guinea arriving at Port Moresby on 10th November 1942 he would then report to Rorona, New Guinea for duty on 12th November 1942. He would return to Australia between 28th May 1943 and 31st October 1943 having attended a course and then been admitted to hospital with Glaucoma.
On 31st October he would join the Katoomba and sail to Port Moresby once more, disembarking on the 4th November 1943. He would once more be admitted to hospital this time with biliary colic, and would rejoin his then unit 156th Anti-Aircraft Battery, before attending a course at the HQ School of Artillery from 5th-7th January 1944 when he would fly back to Townsville on 7th January 1944. He would then remain at home in Australia until he was discharged on 18th October 1945
