Australia Service Medal : Corporal A V Ridgely, 2/1 Australian Pioneer Battalion

Places
Accession Number REL36662.005
Collection type Heraldry
Object type Medal
Physical description Nickel Silver
Maker Unknown
Date made c 1949 -1950
Conflict Second World War, 1939-1945
Description

Australia Service Medal. Impressed around edge with recipient's details.

History / Summary

NX18836 Corporal Aubrey Vincent Ridgely was born on 9 August 1913 at Abermain, NSW. He was single and working as a duco sprayer when he enlisted on 20 May 1940 at North Sydney, NSW. He was taken on strength of the 2/1st Pioneer Battalion on 30 May 1940 and was promoted to lance corporal on 20 July. He embarked for the Middle East from Sydney on 30 September 1940, disembarking at Suez on 2 November. Ridgely served in the Middle East for over a year. In North Africa the battalion withdrew to Tobruk on 8 April 1941 and spent the next five months defending the town. The pioneers manned various perimeter posts but also fought as infantry. Ridgely was admitted to hospital sick from mid May to June and again in August. The battalion was evacuated from Tobruk in September 1941. The battalion then spent a short time in Palestine before returning to Australia in March 1942. Ridgely spent the rest of his service in Australia and was promoted to corporal on 1 July 1944. He was discharged medically unfit in October 1944.