Coins & Banknotes Auction 355

Australia: 1914-18 Military Cross for Trench Raid, Fleurbaix, 30th Infantry Bn group of 3. MC, GVR, engraved reverse: 'E.A.C. MACFARLANE, LIEUT, FLEURBAIX, 16TH SEPT '16'; 1914-15 Star impressed officially '2/LIEUT. E.A.C. MACFARLANE, 30/BN. AIF.' British War Medal 'CAPTAIN E.A.C. MACFARLANE, AIF.', (also entitled to Victory medal). Edward Albert Charles MacFarlane, born Melbourne 1889, enl AIF as Lieutenant, Sydney 16/6/15, to Egypt from 9/12/1915 inc Suez Canal Defences, to France 16/6/16 & OP's from 8/7/16 inc Bois Grenier, Fromelles, Fleurbaix & Armentieres, Captain 29/4/1917, Bombing Officer, 8th Bde, 29/7/1917, to Duty as Camp Commandant HQ, ANZAC Corps 21/12/1918, RtA & Reserve of Officers 1/1/1920. No further service. Awarded Military Cross on the basis of the following recommendation raised 21st September 1916 by Commander 8th Brigade; 'On the night of 16th September 1916, Lieutenant MacFarlane commanded a party from the 30th Bn, 8th Infantry Brigade, in a raid on the enemy trenches. He display commendable gallantry, coolness and judgment, personally captured two of the enemy, and succeeded, not withstanding heavy retaliatory fire, in bringing his party back with but one casualty. The success of the operation was in a very great measure due to the zeal and energy displayed by Lieutenant 'No Man's Land' with members of his party on several nights prior to the operation'. On original full length ribbons. aEF. Extremely scarce early AIF Trench Raids MC. (P)