| Places | |
|---|---|
| Accession Number | REL25184.001 |
| Collection type | Heraldry |
| Object type | Award |
| Physical description | Silver gilt |
| Maker |
Unknown |
| Place made | United Kingdom |
| Date made | c 1918-1919 |
| Conflict |
First World War, 1914-1918 |
Officer of the Order of the British Empire (military) : Captain F A Comins, Army Dental Corps
Description
Officer of the Order of the British Empire (military) fitted with a post 1936 pink and grey ribbon. Unnamed as issued. The original military 1918-1936 period purple ribbon with scarlet stripe is included in the presentation case.
History / Summary
Associated with the First World War service of Captain Francis (Frank) Aloysius Comins. Comins was a senior cadet corporal in 1910 and was selected to join the contingent that travelled to England for the coronation of George V in 1911, and later became an officer in the Reserve Forces. He was made an Honorary Lieutenant in the AIF on 1 March 1916 and posted overseas with Camel Corps Reinforcements on 17 February 1917. Arriving in Suez on 4 April Comins remained in the Middle East for the duration of the war. A dentist prior to enlistment Comins was posted to the Australian Army Medical Corps on 15 May and became attached to No 6 Dental Unit on 20 May. He also saw service with Dental Unit, Abbassia and 71 Dental Unit. He returned to Australia on 25 December 1918 and was discharged on 8 May 1919.
Comins was mentioned in despatches on 5 March 1919, 'for gallant and distinguished services in the Field', and awarded an OBE (military) on 3 June 1919, for meritorious services in Palestine.