Empire Day 1907 commemorative medalet : G L Dolan

Bronze shield-shaped medalet celebrating Empire Day 1907. The obverse features a crown in a laurel wreath, below which are the words, 'EMPIRE DAY AUSTRALIAN CELEBRATION MAY 24 1907'. The reverse features an unnofficial Australian coat of arms, that includes features from both the first Australian coat of arms (not officially granted till 1908) and the New South Wales coat of arms (granted in 1906). The coat of arms includes a scroll with the words, 'ADVANCE AUSTRALIA' and crossed Union and Australian flags in the background. Below the coat of arms is a rose, a shamrock and a thistle. There is a suspension ring in the hole in the top of the medalet.

School children were issued with this medalet to commemorate the occasion of Empire Day on 24 May 1907. This medalet was presented to George Leslie 'Les' Dolan. Born at Surrey Hills, Sydney in June 1894, George Leslie 'Les' Dolan was working as a shop assistant and serving in the militia with the 24th Infantry Regiment, when he enlisted in the AIF on 8 July 1915. 4905 Private Dolan embarked aboard HMAT A15 Star of England with 1 Battalion, 15th Reinforcements on 8 March 1916. After arriving in Egypt, he was transferred to the 53rd Battalion.

After a period of further training, Dolan embarked for France, arriving at the end of June 1916. He moved north with the 53rd Battalion, and entered the line near Fleurbaix in time to participate in the disastrous Battle of Fromelles on 19 July 1916. He was promoted to lance corporal a week later. Dolan was then promoted to temporary corporal in September, corporal in October, temporary sergeant in May 1917 and sergeant in July.

On 25 September 1917, the 53rd Battalion took part in the attack at Glencorse Wood, east of Ypres in Belgium. Dolan was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal for his actions during the fighting. He was selected for officer training and attended No. 5 Officer's Cadet Training Battalion at Cambridge, England.

Dolan rejoined his unit in June 1918 and a month later was Mentioned in Despatches for his actions during the attack on Morlancourt on 29 July 1918. Dolan was promoted to lieutenant on 1 September. After the war, Dolan married Ethel Dillon O'Brien Porter from Cambridge on 12 May 1919. On 8 August 1919 he embarked aboard HT Katoomba for his return to Australia. Dolan was discharged from the AIF on 17 November 1919. During the inter-war years, Dolan served with the 53rd Battalion (West Sydney Regiment ), Citizens Military Force (CMF).