Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Great War 1918 ‘Somme’ M.M. awarded to Lance-Corporal N. J. Hands, 4th Australian Infantry Battalion, Australian Imperial Force, for his gallantry when he silenced an enemy machine-gun post with his Lewis gun at Chuignes, 23 August 1918. He was wounded in action 22 September 1918

Military Medal, G.V.R. (381 Pte. - L. Cpl. - N. J. Hands, 4/Aust: Inf.) good very fine £600-800

M.M. London Gazette 14 May 1919. The original recommendation states:

‘At Chuignes on the 23rd August 1918, when the leading Company was held up by strong machine gun fire, L/Cpl. Hands without waiting for orders rushed his Lewis gun forward and engaged an enemy post from an enfilade position silencing the gun and thereby materially assisting the advance. He handled his section with great coolness and determination throughout the operation.’

Norman James Hands was born in Sydney, New South Wales, in 1898. He enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force, 3 April 1916, and was posted to join the 1st Cyclist Corps. He embarked for Egypt in SS Clan McGillivray, and disembarked there 13 June 1916. Hands then travelled to the UK in August 1916, before transferring to the 4th Australian Infantry Battalion the following month. He served with the Battalion as part of the 1st Australian Brigade, 1st Australian Division in the French theatre of war from September 1916.

Hands was awarded his M.M. for gallantry in operations on the Somme, in particular during the advance on Chuignes in August 1918. During the latter action the Battalion captured 6 field guns, 64 machine guns and 450 prisoners, whilst suffering casualties of one officer and 20 other ranks killed or died of wounds.

Hands received a gunshot wound to the back, 22 September 1918, and was invalided to the UK five days later. He returned to Australia in H.T. Ceramic, and was discharged 9 May 1919.