British War Medal 1914-20 : Lieutenant W G Scales, 21st Battalion, AIF

British War Medal 1914-20. Impressed around edge with recipient's details.

Issued to Lieutenant W G Scales, 24th Battalion, AIF. Born in Mitta Mitta, Victoria in 1895, William Gordon 'Bill' Scales was working as an axeman when he enlisted in the AIF on 12 June 1915. 1737 Private W G Scales embarked aboard HMAT Demosthenes in Melbourne on 16 July 1915 with the 2nd Reinforcements to the 24th Battalion. Private Scales served on Gallipoli and went with the 24th Battalion to the Western Front in March 1916.

Scales was awarded the Military Medal for his actions during the Second Battle of Bullecourt on 3 May 1917. On 4 October 1917, during the heavy fighting at Broodseinde Ridge near Ypres, Belgium, Scales received several gunshot wounds which led to the amputation of his right leg in early 1918. He returned to Australia aboard SS Malta in September that year.

Scales' brother, Lieutenant Joseph Lindley Scales, served with the 24th Battalion and was awarded the Distinguished Service Order (DSO), Military Medal (MM) and Mention in Despatches (MID) for his actions at Broodseinde, Bapaume and Pozieres respectively. Lieutenant J S Scales survived the war and also saw service during the Second World War.