Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Great War 1917 ‘French theatre’ M.M. awarded to Lance-Corporal A. Briggs, 20th Australian Infantry Battalion, Australian Imperial Force, for his gallantry with rifle-grenades during a counter-attack at Lagincourt, 15 April 1917. He was wounded in action at Pozieres, 5 August 1916, and received a gunshot wound to the right arm and left knee at Bullecourt, 2 May 1917

Military Medal, G.V.R. (1671 L. Cpl. A. Briggs. 20/Aust: Inf:) very fine £600-800

M.M. London Gazette 18 June 1917. The original recommendation (jointly with Private H. A. Clarke) states:

‘These men showed great initiative and bravery when their company was held up during the counter-attack near Lagincourt, France, on 15th April 1917. They crawled within 50 yards of the enemy's strong post and with the use of rifle grenades bombed the enemy out, thus allowing the advance to continue.’

Alfred Briggs was born in Sydney, Australia. He enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force, 1 June 1915. He embarked for Egypt in H.M.A.T. Kanowna, and disembarked there 3 January 1916. Briggs then travelled to France in H.M.T. Ingoma in March 1916, and served with the 20th Australian Infantry Battalion as part of the 5th Australian Brigade, 2nd Australian Division.

Briggs was wounded in action at Pozieres, Somme, 5th August 1916. He advanced to Lance-Corporal in March 1917, and was awarded his M.M. for gallantry in operations on the Somme, in particular during a counter-attack near Lagincourt, 15 April 1917. During the latter action the Battalion captured 200 prisoners, whilst suffering casualties of two officers and 14 other ranks were wounded and six other ranks killed.

Briggs was wounded in action once again, when he received a gunshot wound to the right arm and left knee whilst in action at Bullecourt, 2 May 1917. He returned to Australia in H.T. Runil, 26 November 1918, and was discharged 7 July 1920.