Marksmanship medallion : Private H G England, 14 Battalion, AIF

Brass medallion for marksmanship. On the obverse is a scene in raised relief of a classical woman holding a rifle in her left hand and a laurel wreath aloft in her right. In the background German troops are surrendering to victorious British soldiers. On the reverse of the medallion are the raised words ' ARMY RIFLE ASSOCIATION. BRITISH ARMIES IN FRANCE.' around the edge with 'FOR SKILL WITH THE RIFLE' in the centre. Below this is engraved '4801 PTE H G G ENGLAND 14th BATTALION A I F'.

This medallion was won by Private Herbert George Graham England in France in 1917 or 1918. England, a clerk from Malvern in Victoria first enlisted in the AIF on 18 January 1916, aged 22. He spent several months in Australia with 21 Battalion until he was discharged medically unfit on 26 June. His service records indicate that his little toes were at an angle and grew underneath the adjacent toe. This did not prevent him enlisting again and he was taken into service with the 13th Reinforcements of 29 Battalion on 27 March 1917. He was assigned the number 4801 and sailed for service overseas aboard HMAT Suevic from Melbourne. On arrival in England he spent some time with training units before joining 14 Battalion in France. He was gassed on 8 February 1918 but rejoined his unit two weeks later. On 17 August 1918 he joined the Australian War Records Section in France and remained with them until he rejoined 14 Battalion on 31 October 1919. During this period he was promoted to Extra Regimental Corporal on 10 April 1919. He embarked for return to Australia on 18 December 1919 and was discharged on 13 March 1920.