Description
1939-45 Star, reverse officially impressed “SX4818 A.D. CORNISH”
Africa Star, reverse officially impressed “SX4818 A.D. CORNISH”
Pacific Star, reverse officially impressed “SX4818 A.D. CORNISH”
The Defence Medal, edge officially impressed “SX4818 A.D. CORNISH”
1939-45 War Medal, edge officially impressed “SX4818 A.D. CORNISH”
1939-45 Australian Service Medal, edge officially impressed “SX4818 A.D. CORNISH”
A nice WWII group of six to a South Australian who faithfully served with the Army Service Corps and Supply Depot Battalions, medals swing mounted and fixed onto a cardboard piece with staples, medals basically as issued and uncirculated.
Arthur Denzil Cornish, born on the 24th October 1908, was a resident of Kent Town, South Australia and salesman by trade. As a young adult, between 1926 to 1931, Arthur served with the Citizen’s Forces and rose to the rank of Company Sergeant Major of the 10th Battalion. With the onset of the Second World War, Arthur attested for the Second Australian Imperial Force, enlisting at Wayville on the 8th June 1940, and was assigned the service number SX4818 and posted to training depots in the 4th Military District.
- Promoted to acting Corporal 16th August 1940 (later confirmed as Corporal 14th November 1940)
- Embarked for overseas service 20th October 1940 aboard H.M.T. Mauretania
- Disembarked at Bombay 5th November, moved to Deolali and embarked from India 9th November
- Disembarked at Kantara, Egypt 24th November 1940
- O.S. to 7th Depot Company
- Disembarked at Bombay 5th November, moved to Deolali and embarked from India 9th November
Arthur served in the Middle East for the following year before returning to Australia on the 13th April 1942 and was T.O.S. to the 5th Company Australian Army Service Corps. He served in the 4th M.D. for 5 months before being transferred overseas.
Over the following few years of his service, Arthur was transferred to New Guinea twice then to Borneo:
- The first from 6th September 1942 until 28th January 1943, disembarking at Cairns 30th January 1943
- O.S. to 2/2 Australian Supply Depot Company 1st May 1943 (in Australia)
- Promoted Acting Sergeant 11th May 1943 (later confirmed 13th August 1943)
- The second from 4th August 1943 until 1th March 1944, disembarking at Townsville 12th March 1944
- The third (to Borneo) from 29th May 1945 until 29th August 1945, disembarking at Brisbane 15th September 1945
Arthur Denzil Cornish discharged from the Second Australian Imperial Force on the 12th October 1945 with a total effective period of 1953 days, 796 days active service in Australia and 1021 days overseas.
