Federated Engine Drivers and Firemens Association of Australasia Medalet : Lance Corporal W Ingram, Anzac Light Railways

Federated Engine Drivers and Firemens Association of Australasia Medalet with a scrolled suspension hole attached to the top. The centre of the medalet shows a pair of gilt hands over a white enamel map of Australia. A blue enamel circle surrounds the central detail and has 'FEDERATED ENGINE DRIVERS & FIREMENS ASSN. OF AUSTRALASIA' in gilt lettering. On the reverse of the badge is impressed the maker's details 'BRIDGELAND & KING MELBOURNE'.

Associated with the service of 170 Lance Corporal William Ingram. Ingram was born in Beechworth, Victoria on 14 April 1891 and was an engine driver on enlistment on 20 August 1914. He embarked for Egypt aboard HMAT Geelong on 22 September as a member of 3 Field Company Engineers. Ingram joined the Mediterranean Expeditionary Force in Alexandria on 5 April 1915 and served on Gallipoli as a tunneller before being evacuated in December.

He was promoted to Lance Corporal on 12 March 1916 and proceeded to join the British Expeditionary Force in France on 27 March. Ingram arrived at Marseilles on 3 April. He transferred to 1 Anzac Light Railways on 3 February 1917 and drove trains transporting ammunition to front line troops. Ingram was detached to the 17th Anzac Light Railway Operating Company on 27 August but rejoined his unit on 20 September.

Ingram went to England on 'Special 1914 Leave' in September 1918 where he remained until repatriated to Australia. 'Special 1914 Leave' was granted to those soldiers who had joined the AIF in 1914, and who had by the latter stages of 1918 served a full five years service. Ingram embarked for Australia aboard HMAT Port Hacking on 3 December arriving in Melbourne on 27 January 1919.