Orders, Decorations and Medals

Four: Major A. B. Steele, Australian Imperial Forces

1914-15 Star (Lieut., 2/L.H. Rgt. A.I.F.); British War and Victory Medals, M.I.D. oak leaf (Major, A.I.F.) mounted as worn; Royal Humane Society, small bronze medal (unsuccessful) (Major Arthur B. Steele, 4th Nov. 1916) with bronze buckle on ribbon; together with an A.I.F. ‘Returned from Active Service Badge, gilt, reverse numbered, ‘252068’, good very fine and better (5) £600-800

Arthur Beevor Steele was educated at Brisbane and Toowoomba Grammar Schools, Queensland. Passing the University of Sydney Junior Public Examination, he was admitted as an Engineering Cadet to the Engineering Branch of the Queensland Government Railways. In 1914 he was appointed an Assistant Engineer with the Queensland Government Railways, employed in railway construction. He enlisted in the A.I.F. as a Lieutenant in the 2nd Light Horse on 25 August 1914. Posted to Egypt, he was attached to the Royal Engineers (British Army) involved in the purchase and supply of equipment for the Gallipoli campaign. Promoted to Captain in September 1915. Employed at Mudros, Egypt and Palestine as Engineer Staff Officer to the Director of Works, Mediterranean and Egyptian Expeditionary Forces. Promoted to Major in May 1916. Awarded the Royal Humane Society Bronze Medal for an attempted rescue in November 1916:

‘At 8.45 a.m. on the 4th November, 1916, a woman had fallen into the Nile at the landing place, Cairo, and a man who went in to help was carried away by the current. Major A.B. Steele, Second Australian Light Horse, jumped in but failed to reach him, and was himself got out 50 yards lower down’ (R.H.S. Case No. 43,079).

For his wartime services he was twice mentioned in despatches (London Gazette 6 June 1917) - Murray (London Gazette 25 January 1918) - Allenby. During December 1917-February 1918 he was employed by the Corps of Royal Engineers and was appointed Engineer, Way and Works, Jerusalem Railway - involved in railway construction. Invalided to England on 31 August 1918. Served in France, January-February 1919. He resigned his appointment in the A.I.F., being demobilised with effect from 8 July 1919. Elected an Associate Member of the Institution of Civil Engineers in February 1919.

With portrait photograph of recipient in uniform; copied service papers, statement of services and a full report on the ‘Nile’ rescue attempt.