Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Great War 1917 ‘Ypres’ M.M. awarded to Sapper J. A. O’Leary, 1st Anzac Entrenching Battalion, Australian Imperial Force, later 2nd Australian Tunnelling Company, Australian Engineers. He suffered severe burns and was gassed during the course of the war

Military Medal, G.V.R. (7063 Sapr. J. A. O’Leary. Aust. E.) good very fine £600-£800

M.M. London Gazette 12 December 1917. The original recommendation states:

‘On 14th September 1917 near Ypres an incendiary shell fell amongst a part of 1st Anzac Entrenching Battalion - while conveying shells - and enveloped them in flames. No. 6644 Cpl. Sawyers clothes were on fire and he was temporarily blinded and helpless. No. 7063 Sapper O’Leary though suffering from Burns himself went to Cpl. Sawyer’s assistance, put out the flames and assisted him to the Dressing Station. This action took place whilst under fire of the enemy guns.’

John Ambrose O’Leary was born in Ediowie, South Australia, and enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force, 1 December 1916. He was part of the Miners Reinforcements and left Australia in May 1917, arriving in the UK in July of the same year.

O’Leary was posted for service with the Australian Tunnelling Companies, and was attached for service with the 1st Anzac Entrenching Battalion in the French theatre of war from August 1917. The unit was disbanded in October 1917, and having recovered from the burns he suffered on the 14th September, O’Leary was posted for service with the 2nd Australian Tunnelling Company in November 1917.

O’Leary was gassed 18 March 1917, and returned to Australia in July 1919. He was discharged 6 November 1919.