Description
The Military Medal, George VI, edge officially impressed “VX16455. SIGNM. W.J. TRUSKETT. AIF.”
The 1939-1945 Star, reverse officially impressed “VX16455 W. J. TRUSCOTT”
The Africa Star, reverse officially impressed “VX16455 W. J. TRUSCOTT”
The Defence Medal, edge officially impressed “VX16455 W. J. TRUSCOTT”
1939-45 War Medal, edge officially impressed “VX16455 W. J. TRUSCOTT”
Australian Service Medal 1939-45, edge officially impressed “VX16455 W. J. TRUSKETT”
The superb evacuation of Greece Military Medal Group of Six to Signalman William James Truskett of the 1st Signals Corps, Australian Imperial Force, who, when the unit arrived in town of Livadeia during the Australian southward retreat, gallantly saved vital explosives, flares and ammunitions from a burning train during a German air raid. This gallant action was done with complete disregard for his own personal safety from both the German attack as well as the potential explosions caused by the train fire. His example typified one of the three main roles the Signals played during the evacuation of Greece – recovering salvageable military equipment. This Military Medals is one of only 1,100 awarded to the A.I.F. for the Second World War and quite scarce as such. Each medal is officially impressed although with differing spelling of his last name on Imperial campaign medals, and the group is court mounted for display, medals nearly as issued, Extremely Fine.
The Military Medal, promulgated by the London Gazette Supplement 35333 (page 6358) dated 4th November 1941. The original recommendation reads:
“On 20th April, 1941, at Levadia Rly Station, Greece, Sign. Truskett on his own initiative removed explosives, shells ammunition and flares from burning trains during an intensive bombing attack by enemy aircraft, although senior officers present considered the risk too great for salvage to be undertaken.
He was in constant grave danger from explosions and enemy action and set a fine example of courage. Despite grave personal risk he was instrumental in inspiring others to assist in the removing of explosives and gun ammunition, a large quantity of valuable material was thereby saved.”
William James Truskett, born on the 30th December 1902 at Moonee Ponds, Victoria, was the son of Mr James Truskett and Mrs Evelyn Katie Truskett (nee Nicholson) and the brother of George and Evelyn. At the age of 16, William attested for the first Australian Imperial Force on the 4th September 1918 at his local enlistment centre in Caulfield, stating he was a 20-year-old Jockey – this attempt was rejected however, not because of his true age being discovered but for “chronic synovitis of knee”. During the interwar period, he and his partner Ms Doris Eileen Lemon had their first son, also named William, and in 1924 the two were married.
On the 20th May 1940, now a 37-year-old council employee, William re-attested for active war service with the Second Australian Imperial Force at the Ripponlea S.2. enlistment centre in the Caulfield area – he listed “1 year railway unit A.I.F.” as previous service which, based on his rejection in 1918, must have been a lie on his attestation form. He was drafted to the 1st Corps Signals and assigned the service number VX16455, and was posted to the Seymour camp for training where the corps was formed.
- Embarked 1st October 1940 for overseas aboard H.M.A.T. Nieuw Zeeland from Melbourne, disembarked Kantara 3rd November 1940
- Proceeded to Greece 16th March 1941 for service in the Allied Greek Campaign with the 6th Australian Division, embarked from Alexandria, disembarked at Port of Piraeus (Athens) and proceeded to the front (passing through Larissa days later which had just been subjected to Italian bombing and an earthquake)
Between late March to early-April the 1st Signal Corps continued their duty establishing communications networks between headquarters and the main defensive lines. On 6th April, the major German offensive began via Bulgaria and the Allied forces were forced to retreat; the 1st Signal Corps were forced to rapidly destroy unsalvageable communication equipment before beginning their 10-day retreat over 350-400km distance – a logistical nightmare as they were constantly under the threat of German Luftwaffes, forcing the march to be done mostly under nighttime cover. They arrived at town of Livadeia, a key stop of the national railway network, on the 20th April and established a final, temporary command network to facilitate the allied evacuation, and also began preparations to destroy all non-essential equipment, before continuing their retreat the following day towards the Peloponnese beaches.
On the day of their arrival, William, with a lack of concern for his own personal safety and against the advice of his senior officers, removed explosives, shell ammunition and flares stored on burning trains which were set alight during a German air raid. Doing so inspired others to do the same, saving anything from the fire. For this gallant action, he was recommended and awarded the Military Medal.
- Evacuation from Livadeia to Kalamata 21st – 26th April – majority of the unit evacuated aboard H.M.N.Z.S. Glengyle, H.M.S. Orion and H.M.S. Perth
- April 27-28th many members of the 1st Signal Corps who were unable to board these ships were taken P.O.W. by German forces
- Unit regrouped in the Middle East to rebuild and retrain
- Lack of substantiating service records – it is assumed William was on strength for duty with the 1st Signal Corps as they participated in the Mediterranean theatre for the remainder of 1941
- Per ‘Operation Stepsister’ (recalling forces to defend Australia from Japan) – William embarked for Australia 2nd April 1942 aboard MS Félix Roussel, disembarked South Australia and posted to S.A. Lines of Communications 23rd May 1942
- Admitted to 115th Australian General Hospital at Heidelberg, Victoria on 24th June 1942 with Asthma and Bronchitis
- Discharged to Recuperative Depot at Caulfield, Victoria on 11th August 1942
- Admitted to 115th Australian General Hospital at Heidelberg, Victoria on 24th June 1942 with Asthma and Bronchitis
William was deemed physically unfit for service due to his acute respiratory issues per Australian Military Regulations and Orders, Rule 253, subsection 6, and therefore unable to accompany the Australians to the Pacific theatre of war. He was officially discharged from the A.I.F. on the 13th September 1942 and returned to civilian life. On the 10th May 1945, he received his Military Medal which was presented at Government House, Melbourne. William later passed away at the age of 60 in Elsternwick, Victoria on the 12th March 1963.
