British War Medal 1939-45 : Major Joseph Henry Nott, 6th Australian Motor Training Regiment

British War Medal 1939-45. Impressed around edge with recipient's details.

Born at Rutherglen, Victoria in 1891 Joseph Henry Nott enlisted in the AIF on 18 August 1914. He had previously served in the militia for eight years as a quartermaster sergeant in 8th Light Horse Regiment. Nott was appointed a sergeant, service 1, to the Headquarters of 4th Light Horse Regiment (4LHR). The unit sailed from Melbourne on 19 October, aboard HMAT A18 Wiltshire. Nott acted as Transport Sergeant during the voyage. After serving at Gallipoli in 1915 Nott was commissioned in early 1916 and, along with members of the two of the 4LHR squadrons sent to France to support British and French units on the Western Front.

In June 1916, a composite regiment of the 4th LHR squadrons and the New Zealand Otago Mounted Rifles was formed to create the II Anzac Corps Mounted Regiment. The regiment was widely used during the battle of Messines in June 1917. The unit was reorganised in December 1917 and renamed the XX11 Corps Mounted Regiment under General Alexander Godley, and now included British cavalry. In March 1918, Nott was briefly detached to a composite battalion with the British 49th Division, tasked with relieving a portion of the front line near Bulgar Wood, east of Ypres. In April and July, the corps supported the French during the Battles of Lys, Marne and Tardenois.

On 11 August the regiment was temporarily attached to III Corps for the Allied offensive toward the Hindenburg Line, fighting in conjunction with Australian and British divisions north of the Somme. On 24 August, D Squadron, including Nott, was attached to the British 58th Division. The division’s records note that the Corps’ mounted troops were 'of the greatest value' in gathering information crucial to the fighting. Nott’s conduct in that role, following the capture of Maricourt on 27 August, was recognised with the award of a Military Cross.

The regiment returned to XXII Corps days later. On 10 September, Nott’s squadron was supporting the British 74th Division in fighting around Épehy, Peizières and Ronssay Wood. Nott once again distinguished himself while carrying out reconnaissance. For his actions he was awarded a Bar to his Military Cross.

September’s actions were the last of the war for the regiment. Along with other long serving members of the AIF, Nott was given special leave and left the regiment for the final time on 4 October. He returned to Australia in December 1918. The following month was awarded the French Croix de Guerre with palm for 'conspicuous services rendered'. Nott served again in the Second World War, between July 1940 and November 1943, domestically with the Australian Army Service Corps, attaining the rank of major.