Military Medal : Private F H Binns, 35 Battalion, AIF

Military Medal (Geo V). Impressed around edge with recipient's details.

Military Medal awarded to 2527 Private F H Binns, 35 Battalion, AIF. Francis Harold Binns was born in West Maitland NSW on 22 February 1900. After working as a labourer he enlisted in the AIF on 24 July 1916 at Newcastle NSW. He was under age and possibly gave his birth year as 1898 to meet the age requirement of 18 years. Private Binns embarked for England aboard the troop transport “Ascanius” from Sydney on 25 October 1916 with 35 Battlion AIF. He arrived in France on 15 March 1917. On 30 May he was wounded, but remained on duty. Private Binns was wounded a second time, a gun shot wound to the back, during the Battle of Messines on 8 and 9 June, which resulted in his evacuation to England on 11th June 1917. He was awarded the Military Medal for his actions during this battle, but the recommendation and citation have not been found. He returned to Australia on 27 September 1917 and was discharged on 20 December 1917. In late October 1918, Binns re-enlisted. This time he was honest about his age and received parental permission to enlist. He served his second enlistment in Australia with the service number 95689 and was disharged on 31 December 1918.

• British War Medal 1914-20 : Private F H Binns, 35 Battalion, AIF
• Victory Medal : Private F H Binns, 35 Battalion, AIF