A Great War 1917 ‘Ypres - Battle of Broodseinde’ M.M. pair awarded to Driver R. Loton, 1st Australian Field Artillery Brigade, Australian Imperial Force, who was mortally wounded at the Battle of Amiens, 9 August 1918

Military Medal, G.V.R. (4875 Dvr: R. Loton. 1/By: Aust: F.A.); 1914-15 Star (4875 Dvr. R. Loton. 2/F.A. Bde. A.I.F.) nearly extremely fine (2) £500-£700

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, Medals from the Collection of Warwick Cary.

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M.M. London Gazette 17 December 1917.

The original joint recommendation (with 3588 Driver H. Mitchell) states: ‘At Westhoek 2nd to 4th October 1917. These drivers have been conspicuous in devotion to their work and horses carrying ammunition in the short time available - setting a fine example of gallantry and enthusiasm. The result of the work of the Drivers was that the Battery had 8000 rounds on the morning of the attack (4/10/17) of which they had salved 1000 rounds.’

Roy Loton was born in Ballarat, Victoria in 1896. Abandoned at birth, he was adopted and raised by Fanny Loton and, after her marriage, also by her husband Percy Goad. He was educated at Macarthur Street School and attested for the Australian Imperial Force on 17 June 1915, aged 18 years. Embarking on 15 September 1915 from Melbourne in the S.S. Makarini he was taken on the strength of the 2nd Australian Field Artillery Brigade in Egypt on 20 October 1915. Disembarking at Marseille on 17 May 1916, he joined the Base Depot at Etaples 3 days later and joined the 1st Divisional Artillery Column on 20 October 1916 before transferring to No. 1 Battery, 1st Field Artillery Brigade on 11 January 1917.

Loton was awarded the Military Medal for conspicuous devotion to his work in carrying ammunition at Westhoek, during the preparations for the Battle of Broodseinde, Ypres, 4 October 1917. On 9 August 1918, near Harbonniere, France, during the Battle of Amiens, he was wounded in the stomach by a shell and died later the same day at the 8th Field Ambulance. Originally buried at White Chateau British Cemetery he was re-interred at the Adelaide British Cemetery, Villers Bretonneaux, France in 1919. After the war, Loton’s medals (including now absent British War and Victory Medals), memorial plaque and scroll were sent to his foster mother, Fanny Goad.

Sold with copied research and service papers.