| Place | Europe: Western Front |
|---|---|
| Accession Number | REL44385 |
| Collection type | Heraldry |
| Object type | Medal |
| Physical description | Silver |
| Maker |
Unknown Unknown |
| Place made | United Kingdom |
| Date made | c 1920 |
| Conflict |
First World War, 1914-1918 |
British War Medal 1914-20: Private Ridgway William Rankine, 10th Battalion, AIF
Description
British War Medal 1914-20. Impressed around edge with recipient's details. The suspender is broken.
History / Summary
Born in Port McLeay, South Australia, in 1895, Ridgway William Rankine, of aboriginal descent, was employed as a labourer when he enlisted in the AIF at Adelaide on 25 October 1916. As he was not yet twenty one the Chief Protector of Aboriginals in South Australia gave consent for his enlistment as 'legal guardian of all Half Caste Aboriginal children vide Clause 10 of the Aborigines Act, No 1048/1911'. Although his parents were both living and his father Abel was listed as his next of kin, they were not allowed to give permission for him to enlist.
After initial training, Rankine was posted a private, service number 7062, to the 23rd Reinforcements for 10th Battalion. He embarked from Adelaide on 16 December, aboard HMAT Berrima. Rankine undertook further training in England before joining his battalion at Bapaume, France on 14 May 1917. In October he was evacuated to England suffering from severe trench feet. He returned to France in January 1918. Rankine received multiple shrapnel wounds during fighting in the Merris Sector, France on 25 June 1918, and was again evacuated to England. He saw no further active service and returned to Australia in June 1919.