Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Great War 1917 ‘Ypres’ M.M. awarded to Private J. R. Petty, 11th Australian Infantry Battalion, Australian Imperial Force, for his gallantry as a company runner, 19 - 21 September 1917. He was twice wounded during the Great War

Military Medal, G.V.R. (6093 Pte. J. R. Petty. 11/Aust: Inf:) good very fine £600-800

M.M. London Gazette 17 December 1917. The original recommendation states:

‘During the operations east of Ypres on 19th -21st September 1917 Private Petty was employed as company runner and guide and was of the utmost assistance, firstly in guiding the company into position, then throughout the advance and after the first objective was gained, he continued to run messages and keep up communications which necessitated his being continuously in the open and always passing over the shell swept area in the rear, regardless of personal safety.’

John Robert Petty was born in Moriwell, Victoria, Australia, in 1884. He enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force, 2 March 1916. Petty arrived in the UK in September 1916, and embarked for France in the S.S. Princess Victoria. He served with the 11th Australian Infantry Battalion in the French theatre of war from December 1916.

Petty received a gunshot wound to the shoulder, 5 May 1917. Having recovered from his wound, Petty was awarded his M.M. for gallantry whilst employed as a runner on operations in the Ypres sector, 19-21 September 1917. He received a gunshot wound to the leg, 10 August 1918, and was invalided to the UK. Petty returned to Australia in H.T. Nestor, 12 December 1918, and was discharged 22 March 1919.