Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Great War 1918 ‘Somme’ M.M. awarded to Corporal L. O. Douglas, 5th Australian Pioneer Battalion, Australian Imperial Force, who was wounded in action, 12 March 1918

Military Medal, G.V.R. (530 T. Cpl. L. O. Douglas. 5/Aust: Pnr: Bn:) nearly very fine £500-£600

M.M. London Gazette 13 March 1919. The original recommendation states:

‘During the whole of this period Cpl. Douglas has set a fine example of fearlessness and bravery to his section. On the 9th May, whilst working in the front line near Villers Bretonneux, his platoon came under very heavy gas shelling and suffered very heavy casualties. Cpl. Douglas displayed great initiative and coolness by going round his, and other sections, evacuating badly gassed cases and removing the men from the gassed area. Again, on the 1st July, whilst his platoon were engaged in digging a sap near Morlancourt, his section came under very heavy shell fire, and again suffered casualties. This N.C.O. showed great bravery and devotion to duty, and total disregard of shell fire. He succeeded in getting the remainder of his section to a place of safety, thus saving further casualties. His fine example was of material assistance in enabling the task to be completed.’

Leslie Oliver Douglas was born in Gunnedah, New South Wales, in 1894. He enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force, 26 August 1914. Douglas initially served on the strength of the 53rd Australian Infantry Battalion, and then the 1st Australian Infantry Battalion. He transferred to the 5th Australian Pioneer Battalion in March 1916. Douglas advanced to Lance-Corporal and served in the French theatre of war from September 1916.

Douglas advanced to Corporal in March 1917, and was wounded in action, 12 March 1918. He was award the M.M. for his repeated gallantry on the Somme, May - July 1918. Douglas returned to Australia, 23 October 1918, and was discharged 25 February 1919.