Military Medal: Driver R C King, Australian Field Artillery, AIF

Military Medal (Geo V). Impressed around edge with recipient's details. Obverse: The bare headed bust of King George V in Field Marshall's uniform with the legend 'GEORGIVS V BRITT: OMN: REX ET IND: IMP:' around the circumference. Reverse: The crowned royal cypher above the inscription 'FOR BRAVERY IN THE FIELD' on four lines, enclosed in a wreath. The medal is fitted with a floreated swivelling suspender. A piece of 32 mm ribbon with broad dark blue edges flanking a central section of three narrow white and two narrow crimson stripes is attached to the suspender.

Awarded to 1323A Driver Reginald Charles King while he was serving with 110 Howitzer Battery, 10 Australian Field Artillery Brigade. King was born at Wagga Wagga, NSW and was a 23 year old overseer working at Condoblin, NSW when he enlisted in the AIF in Sydney on 31 July 1915. After basic training he was assigned as a private, with the service number 1323, to the 10th Reinforcements 1 Light Horse Regiment He embarked for overseas service on 12 October 1915 in the troopship HMAT A4 Pera. In 1916 King transferred to 10 Field Artillery Brigade and was assigned the service number 1323A. He was awarded the Military Medal for service during the Third Battle of Ypres in 1917. The recommendation for the award reads, ' For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. On October 14th 1917 on the YPRES-MENIN Road this driver showed great courage and determination in going through heavy shellfire and delivering ammunition by pack transport to his Battery, thus setting a fine example to his comrades. The work of this driver since commencement of the operations on September 20th has been constantly marked by similar conduct.' King returned to Australia on 19 February 1919. This medal is part of a collection assembled by the late Hon. Sir Thomas Hughes, Member of the Legislative Council of New South Wales. It was presented to the Memorial in memory of his son, Captain Roger Forrest Hughes, Australian Army Medical Corps, who died of wounds in France on 11 December 1916 and his grandson, Flying Officer Peter Roger Forrest Hughes, 12 Squadron, Royal Australian Air Force, who was killed on active service while flying in the Northern Territory on 3 October 1942.