Place | Asia: Korea |
---|---|
Accession Number | REL31250.004 |
Collection type | Heraldry |
Object type | Medal |
Physical description | Cupronickel (alloy) |
Location | Main Bld: Korea, Malaya & Indonesia Gallery: Upper Level: Maryang San |
Maker |
Unknown |
Place made | United Kingdom |
Date made | c 1953 |
Conflict |
Korea, 1950-1953 |
Korea Medal : Sergeant W J Rowlinson, 3 Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment
Distinguished Conduct Medal and Bar : Corporal W J Rowlinson, 3 Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment
Korea Medal. Impressed around edge with recipient's details.
William Josiah Rowlinson was born at Balgowlah, NSW, in 1919. After pre-war cadet service with 17 Battalion, he joined the AIF in June 1941, serving as NX37487 with 2/7 Armoured Regiment, a unit which did not see service outside Australia. In November 1944, seeking a combatant role, he transferred to 1 Australian Parachute Battalion, reverting to private from the rank of sergeant, but the war ended before this unit saw action. After a period with 113 Australian General Hospital as a volunteer in tropical disease research, Rowlinson was awarded the Commander-in-Chief's Commendation Card, but took his discharge from the Army in 1946. In 1950, he re-enlisted for service in Korea, becoming number 2/400239 with 3 RAR. Twice wounded in Korea during 1951, he was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal and Bar for his gallant conduct in the battles of Kapyong and Maryang-San, becoming the most highly decorated Australian soldier of the war. In early 1952 he was commissioned as a lieutenant in the regular army, but later in the year, while giving instruction in the use of explosives at Ingleburn, he was seriously injured in a Gelignite explosion, his right hand and forearm being amputated as a result. He recovered from his injuries, remaining in the Army until 1957, and reaching the rank of captain. Bill Rowlinson died in the late 1990s.
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- Lieutenant Bill Rowlinson
- Compressed fibre identity disc: Corporal W J Rowlinson, 2/7 Armoured Regiment, AIF
- Sergeant's rank chevrons : Sergeant W J Rowlinson, 3 Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment
- Sleeve insignia : Sergeant W J Rowlinson, 3 Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment
- Sleeve insignia : Lieutenant W J Rowlinson, Royal Australian Infantry
- Sleeve insignia : Captain W J Rowlinson, Royal Australian Infantry
- Rowlinson, William Josiah (Captain, b.1920 - d.1998)