Description
British War Medal, Impressed “607 L-CPL. E.G. SHEPPARD. 2-M.G. COY. A.I.F.”
Victory Medal, Impressed “607 L-CPL. E.G. SHEPPARD. 2 M.G. COY A.I.F.”
Silver War Badge, WWI, numbered 92762, confirmed on 3rd Military District SWB Medal roll.
Born in June 1893 at Bentleigh, Victoria, Edward George Sheppard of South Road, Bentleigh was the husband of Ruby Sheppard and a market gardener by trade. On the 19th October 1916, Sheppard attested for the Australian Imperial Forces at Melbourne, Victoria, enlisting as Private 607 of the 10th Reinforcements to the 2nd Machine Gun Company. Following a few months of training, Sheppard embarked for overseas service at Melbourne aboard the HMAT A5 ‘Omrah’ on the 17th January 1917 and disembarked at Plymouth on the 27th March 1917.
The 10th Reinforcements were moved to the Australian Machine Gun Training Depot at Belton Park, Grantham, England for further training, staying here for several months. On the 26th June 1917, Sheppard proceeded overseas to France via Folkestone and on the 29th June was taken on strength into the 2nd Australian Machine Gun Company, attached to the 2nd Infantry Brigade, and re-designated as ‘Gunner’ 607. On the 12th March 1918 the 2nd A.M.G.C., with the 1st, 3rd and 21st Companies, formed the 1st Australian Machine Gun Battalion, and on the 8th September 1918 Sheppard was appointed Lance Corporal.
The Australian Artillery units were heavily involved during the Hundred Days Offensive, and on the 21st September 1918, under two weeks following his promotion, Edward Sheppard was wounded in action with a gunshot wound to the head, back and shoulders, as well as being reportedly dangerously ill, and was evacuated to 12th Casualty Clearing Station in France. He was then transferred to the Lines of Communication Hospital on the 26th September, moved to England and admitted to the University War Hospital at Southampton on the 29th September. Following the end of the Great War, Sheppard was transferred to the 3rd Auxiliary Hospital on the 3rd January 1919 and finally discharged a week later on the 10th January to the No 2. Company Depot. The gunshot wound to the head proved debilitating and Sheppard was deemed unfit for post-war service; he was invalided ‘due to incapacitation’ and returned to Australia aboard the H.M.H.S. ‘Czaritza’ on the 16th March 1919, later being discharged on the 14th June 1919.
A fine WWI pair to a Lance Corporal of the Royal Australian Artillery, noteworthily with his original Silver War badge and confirmed on the district medal roll as his number. Medals in decent condition, Very Fine.