Summary

Part of a medal group awarded to WO/2 W.J. Channon, VX 18392: 1939-45 Star, Africa Star (bears bronze oak leaf for Mentioned in Dispatches), Defence Medal 1939-45, War Medal 1939-45, and Australia Service Medal 1939-45. Note: oak leaf should be on ribbon of War Medal.

Part of a collection including a diary, photographs, documents and medals relating to the service of Wilfred James Channon.

Wilfred James Channon, service number VX18392, was born in West Wyalong, NSW, on 10 Nov 1900. He enlisted at Caulfield, Melbourne, on 29 May 1940. He was twice Mentioned in Dispatches while holding the rank of Sergeant - details published in the London Gazette, 30 December 1941 (page 7360, position 11) and 23 June 1942. He was discharged 14 June 1944 at the rank of Warrant Officer Class 1, while posted at the H Q First Australian Army.

Physical Description

A cupro-nickel medal with mount and ribbon. The obverse features a bare head of King George VI facing left; around, GEORGIVS VI D: G: BR: OMN: REX F: D: IND: IMP: (Translation - George VI by the Grace of God King of all the British, Defender of the Faith, Emperor of India); the artist's initials H.P. (T.H. Paget) in the field below the neck. The reverse depicts a Royal Crown above a small oak tree growing on land surrounded by water, with two lions as supporters; around, 1939 1945; in exergue, THE DEFENCE MEDAL; the artist's monogram HWP (H. Wilson Parker) among the roots of the tree. The edge is impressed: VX 18392 W.J. CHANNON

Obverse Description

Bare head of King George VI facing left; around, 'GEORGIVS VI D: G: BR: OMN: REX F: D: IND: IMP': (Translation - George VI by the Grace of God King of all the British, Defender of the Faith, Emperor of India); the artist's initials 'H.P.' (T.H. Paget) in the field below the neck.

Reverse Description

A Royal Crown above a small oak tree which growing on land surrounded by water, with two lions as supporters; around, 1939 1945; in exergue, THE DEFENCE MEDAL; the artist's monogram HWP (H. Wilson Parker) among the roots of the tree.

Edge Description

VX 18392 W.J. CHANNON

Significance

Awarded to: VX 18392 W.J. CHANNON

Awarded to members of the armed forces serving for:
six months in specified non-operational areas subjected to enemy air attack or closely threatened
six months at any time between 3 September 1939 and 2 September 1945 in the Northern Territory north of 14° 30' South and the Torres Strait Islands.
twelve months non-specified non-operational service overseas from or outside Australia
three months within the period stated Mine and Bomb Disposal units employed in areas subjected to enemy air attack or closely threatened.

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