Victory Medal with MID : Lieutenant C A Birtles, 19 Battalion, AIF

Victory Medal with Mention in Despatches oak leaf. Medal impressed around edge with recipient's details.

Charles Alfred Birtles was born at Beechworth, Victoria, in June 1889, and was working as a labourer before he enlisted in the AIF on 9 July 1915. With the service number 2117, he sailed from Sydney in September of the same year with the 4th Reinforcements to 19 Battalion. Serving as a Lewis gunner on the Western Front, he was Mentioned in Despatches for bravery in the attack on Flers in November 1916. The following year, he was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal for gallantry during the advance to the Hindenburg Line, and the Miltary Medal for his courage and initiative at Zonnebeke, near Ypres. He was also promoted to sergeant. Commissioned in 1918, Birtles transferred to the Australian Flying Corps, and trained as a pilot on Sopwith Snipes, but the war ended before he could receive an operational posting, and he returned to Australia in May 1919. He enlisted again during the Second World War, serving as Lieutenant N75439 with 1 Pioneer Training Battalion at Wallgrove NSW, and later settling in Canberra. The citation for the Mention in Despatches reads as follows: 'He has been with the Bn. since it has been in FRANCE. His general work and cheerful demeanour has at all times won the admiration of the officers and men of the Bn. During the attack on and subsequent holding of GIRD TRENCH FLERS, on 15th/16th Novr. 1916, he was a Lewis Gunner. Was largely instrumental in the rapid construction of the right flank block. He was untiring in his efforts and inspired all men who came in contact with him.'