Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A fine Australian Great War ‘Battle of Hamel’ 1918 M.M. group of four awarded to Corporal G. Trubi, 13th Field Company, Australian Engineers, Australian Imperial Force, who along with 8 others, was detached from his company and accompanied the infantry ‘over the top’ on the first day of the battle of Hamel on 4 July 1918, leading an engineer reconnaissance which resulted in him capturing two machine gunners and their gun

Military Medal, G.V.R. (2355 L.Cpl. - T.2. Cpl. - G. Trubi. 13/Fd: Coy. Aust: E.); 1914-15 Star (2355 Spr G. Trubi. 3/F.C. Eng. A.I.F.); British War and Victory Medals (2355 2-Cpl. G. Trubi. 3 F.C.E. A.I.F.) very fine (4) £800-£1,000

M.M. London Gazette 21 October 1918.
The original Recommendation states: ‘For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty on 4 July 1918, north of Hamel. This N.C.O. made an Engineer reconnaissance of deep dugouts and machine gun emplacements in territory just captured in our advance. His dauntless bearing and coolness in face of heavy shelling and machine gun fire set a fine example to his party - leading them from one dugout to another capturing two machine gunners and their gun. The information supplied as a result of his reconnaissance was of immediate value to the Division.’

George Trubi a 24 year old Prospector, attested for the 3rd Field Company Engineers, Australian Imperial Force, on 9 August 1915 and embarked on H.M.A.T. Beltana at Sydney on 9 November 1915. He served with the 3rd, 13th, and 15th Field Companies during the Great War on the Western Front, being awarded the Military Medal for his gallantry with the 13th Field Company on 4 July 1918. On this date, Lieutenant McKay, 2 N.C.O.’s and 6 Sappers were detached from the Company and accompanied the Infantry “over the top” on the first day of the battle of Hamel, a combined Australian, American and tank attack on Le Hamel.

According to Lieut McKay’s report, his command proceeded to reconnoitre the ground captured by 11th Brigade; 42nd, 43rd and 44th Battalions, A.I.F, who had been tasked of taking the strong points around Hamel. Whilst the battle was still underway, McKay and his men made reconnaissances of enemy trenches and dugouts and R.E. dumps, coming under heavy artillery and machine-gun fire. McKay’s report notes that one machine gun and 3 prisoners were captured, the former and two of the latter being captured by Lance Corporal Trubi.

Trubi returned to Australia on 28 February 1919.

Sold with copied service papers and the July 1918 War diary for 13th Field Company (on CD). A group photo of 13th Company, including Trubi, is held in the Australian War Memorial collection.