Description

For sale is a set of WW2 Australian medals being 1939 – 45 Star, Pacific Star, War Medal and Australian Service Medal 1939 -45 all named S62792 J MCDONALD. They come in the original card box of issue and medal slip, along with single rising sun collar badge and copied record sheets.

John McDonald was born in Broken Hill, New South Wales in 1922. He was working as a labourer when he enlisted into the 48th Battalion on 13/10/1941 however he was not called up until 5/2/1942. He served in a variety of locations in Australia including Darwin.

He was transferred to the 19th Machine Gun Battalion in September 1942 and to the 57/60th Battalion in October 1944.

He served with the battalion in New Guinea from 1/1/1945 – 17/3/1946. The battalion embarked from Townsville on 1/1/1945 landing at Torokina, Bougainville, on the 5th.

Following fighting around Slater’s Knoll the 15th Brigade moved forward and relieved the 7th Brigade in the southern sector of the island and shortly afterwards resumed the advance along the axis of the Buin Road, crossing the Hongorai River, and then the Hari and Mobiai Rivers before being relieved on the 1st July by the 29th Brigade. During this time the 57th/60th took part in the Battle of the Hongorai River, as well as the advance to the Mivo River, undertaking a diversionary drive along the Commando Road on the left flank of the brigade’s main effort. The Commando Road battle honour is unique to the 57th/60th Battalion.

He survived the war unscathed and was discharged on 27/6/1946.