Military Medal : Sergeant W Oswald, 13 Battalion, AIF

Military Medal (Geo V). Impressed around edge with recipient's details.

William Oswald was born near Newcastle, England in 1889. He emigrated to Australia and was working as a labourer when he enlisted in the AIF on 6 October 1914. After initial training he was assigned to 13 Battalion as a private with the service number 1389 and embarked with the 1st Reinforcements aboard HMAT Berrima (A35) on 22 December 1914.

After further training in Egypt, Oswald landed with his unit at Gallipoli on the afternoon of 25 April, 1915. Five days later he sustained a gunshot wound to his ankle. He received treatment aboard a hospital ship and returned to duty on 20 May.

Oswald sustained a second gunshot wound, to his right wrist, on 7 August during the unsuccessful assault on Hill 971. He was evacuated to Cairo for medical treatment, and rejoined his battalion at Gallipoli on 14 September.

After the evacuation from Gallipoli in December Oswald returned to Egypt with his unit. He was promoted to lance corporal in April 1916. In June the battalion sailed for France, and were engaged in trench warfare upon their arrival. Oswald was wounded for a third time in June, and rejoined his unit at the end of the month. He fought in 13 Battalion's first major action at Pozieres in August.

Oswald was promoted to corporal in September and sergeant in November. He served with his unit through 1917, and on 27 September he was awarded the Military Medal (MM).

The recommendation for the MM reads: 'This N.C.O was in charge of a ration party carrying to the front line East of MESSINES on the night of 22/23rd August 1917. The route traversed by his party was entirely "overland", was constantly under machine gun fire and subject to sudden artillery barrage. Returning with his own party he heard that a party carrying to another part of the line was lost. Oswald immediately went out in search of the party which had been scattered by shell fire. Though the shelling was still heavy he collected them all with their loads and guided them to their destination.'

Oswald remained with his unit until October 1917, when he was taken out of the line for further training, returning in February 1918.

Oswald was promoted to warrant officer class 2 and appointed company sergeant major in March 1918. He was with his unit when the German spring offensive was halted during March and April, and in the subsequent allied offensive. During the fighting east of Amiens in early August 1918, he was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal.

Oswald left France to return to Australia in September 1918.