Distinguished Conduct Medal : Signaller Corporal R H L Bligh, 11 Light Horse Regiment, AIF

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

97 Signaller Corporal Roger Horatio Lyall Bligh enlisted from Townsville, Queensland, in 11 Light Horse Regiment, AIF, on 14 December 1914. He was a horsebreaker at the time of his enlistment.

Bligh was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal for action at Jisr ed Damieh, in Palestine, on 1 May 1918, part of the larger action of the Es Salt Raid which took place between 29 April to 4 May 1918. The recommendation for the award reads, 'For gallantry and devotion to duty in the field at DAMIEH on the 1st May, 1918. When the retirement of the forward posts was ordered, the telephone lines were found to be disconnected by shell fire. This non-commissioned officer immediately ran to deliver a message, his course taking him over a shell fire and machine gun swept zone, but he never wavered in his work and was able to get his message through. At the same place and time, he saw two men of the Field Ambulance trying to get away during the retirement. He immediately took two led horses forward under heavy concentrated machine gun and rifle fire to get them. Corporal Bligh was wounded in the attempt, but was able to reach the men and complete the task'.

Bligh returned to Australia on 26 January 1919. During the Second World War Bligh enlisted again, from Brisbane, and was commissioned as a lieutenant, with the service number Q140259. He served between February 1942 and September 1946 and was employed training members of the Volunteer Defence Corps.

• 1914-15 Star : Private R H L Bligh, 11 Light Horse Regiment, AIF