Military Medal : Private W E Drayton, 2/47 Battalion, AIF

Military Medal (Geo VI). Impressed around edge with recipient's details. The medal, together with a black and white portrait photograph of Drayton, is set into the bottom of a glazed frame containing the original citation for the award, which was issued by Government House in Canberra.

Born in Queanbeyan, New South Wales in 1925, NX193952 Private William Edward Drayton, served from 2 December 1943 in the militia (with service number N465854) before enlisting in the AIF on 15 October 1944. He served with 47 Infantry Battalion and was awarded the Military Medal on 30 December 1944 at Jaba River, Bougainville. The citation for the award reads, 'At approximately 1500 hours on the 30 Dec 44, while "D" Coy [company] 47 Aust Inf Bn, was returning from a successful attack on a forward enemy position in the JABA RIVER Section, BOUGAINVILLE, the leading section was held up by an enemy LMG [light machine gun] and two riflemen. During this time the remainder of the enemy force was closing in on the Coy. Pte DRAYTON then stood up in full view of the enemy and charged the LMG position firing his rifle from the hip. In moving forward he was wounded, his rifle being knocked from his grasp by enemy fire. He continued on until he sighted the enemy weapon and then he calmly directed his section's LMG fire on to the position, thus silencing the gun. Pte DRAYTON's action was one of outstanding courage and coolness in the face of strong enemy fire, and enabled the Coy to move forward, thus preventing further heavy casualties.' Drayton was discharged on 26 November 1946.