Description

Offered is a British War Medal (1914 – 18), impressed named 631 SGT T.J. O’DWYER. A.N. & M.E.F. Comes with copy service record and newspaper article.

A rare Tropical Unit (New Guinea Garrison Battalion) WW1 medal, this medal is Sgt O’Dwyers sole entitlement. Whilst he landed in November 1914, as his record clearly shows, he is not entitled to the 14/15 Star nor the Victory Medal.

Sergeant Thomas Joseph O’Dwyer was born in 1875 at Wodonga, Victoria. He had been working as a warder in a mental hospital for some 11 years prior to enlisting on the 13/10/1915. He had 3 years previous service with the Royal Australian Artillery and was posted to ‘A’ Company, Tropical Unit, Australian Naval & Military Expeditionary Force. His records show that he embarked at Sydney 20/11/1915 bound for New Guinea, arriving and being placed on strength 20/11/15 (?).

During his service he served with the Garrison Police and the Telephone Exchange in 1916. Promoted 15/12/1916 to be Corporal whilst employed in Roads & Bridges Dept, Kokopo. Promoted to Sergeant 13/3/1917.

15/3/1917, sent to Australia for medical treatment, returning 14/5/1917. Sent back to Australia 21/10/1917 from Rabaul for medical treatment, being discharged 6/2/1918 discharged to a pension.