| Accession Number | AWM2017.396.4 |
|---|---|
| Collection type | Heraldry |
| Object type | Medal |
| Physical description | Nickel Silver |
| Maker |
Unknown |
| Place made | United Kingdom |
| Date made | c 1946 |
| Conflict |
Second World War, 1939-1945 |
Australia Service Medal: Able Seaman R H Wallace, Royal Australian Navy
Description
Australia Service Medal. Engraved around edge with recipient's details.
History / Summary
Robert Henderson Wallace was born in Carlton, Victoria on 29 August 1924 and enlisted in the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) as an ordinary seaman on 20 January 1943. He had previously served in the militia from March to December 1942.
Wallace was posted to various ships and shore establishments before he joined HMAS Shropshire in November 1943. He served aboard this ship during Shropshire’s New Britain operations covering the landings at Arawe and Cape Gloucester. Wallace also took part in the operations leading to the seizure of the Admiralty Islands and was in action during the Hollandia / Humboldt Bay operations and the Wakde/Sarmi/Biak operations before leaving Shropshire in May 1944.
From January 1945 until the end of the war Wallace was stationed at HMAS Madang the RAN base at Madang, Papua New Guinea. He returned to Australia aboard HMAS Vendetta arriving in Brisbane on 2 October. Wallace was demobilised on 13 March 1946.