Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Great War 1918 ‘French theatre’ M.M. group of four awarded to 2nd Corporal H. A. Bartels, 17th (ANZAC) Light Railway Operating Company, Australian Engineers, late 12th Australian Infantry Battalion, with whom he was wounded in action 24 July 1916

Military Medal, G.V.R. (2329 Sapr. H. A. Bartels. 17/Anzac L.R.O. Coy) partially officially corrected; 1914-15 Star (2329 Pte. H. A. Bartels. 26/Bn. A.I.F.); British War and Victory Medals (2329 2-Cpl. H. A. Bartels. 26 Bn. A.I.F.) generally very fine or better, scarce to unit (4) £800-1000

M.M. London Gazette 19 March 1918.

Henry Albert Bartels was born near Townsville, Queensland, in 1884. He was employed as a Railway Guard with Queensland Railways prior to the Great War. He enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force at Brisbane, 5 July 1915. Bartels embarked for Egypt in H.M.A.T. Warillda in October 1915. He initially served on the strength of the 26th Australian Infantry Battalion, and arrived in the French theatre of war in April 1916.

Bartels served with the 12th Australian Infantry Battalion in the French theatre of war, and was wounded in action, 24 July 1916. He transferred to 1st ANZAC Light Railways in January 1917, and served with the 17th Light Railway Operating Company, Australian Engineers from November of the same year. Bartels was promoted 2nd Corporal in the field, 23 May 1918, and transferred to the 2nd Light Railway Operating Company in September of the same year. He returned to Australia in S.S. Sardinia, and was discharged 6 August 1919.