Summary

Certificate presented to Driver A.L.B. ( Aubrey Lionel Bertram) Hampton M.M. by the Mayor Councillors and Citizens of the City of St Kilda as a record of and appreciation of his voluntary enlisting for Active service in World War I.

Aubrey Lionel Bertram Hampton, a 28-year-old fitter and turner, enlisted on 18 August 1914 (service no.18) and was made a sapper in 2 Fld Coy Engrs (2nd Field Company Engineers). He was shipped overseas on the Orvieto in 20 October 1914 (part of the Albany convoy) and served in Gallipoli and the Western Front, becoming a driver in France. He suffered illnesses such as pneumonia and 'debility', and a minor wound, but seems to have escaped major wounds during the war. In 1916 Aubrey's significant act of bravery at Pozieres let to the award of Military and Distinguished Conduct medals. In July 1917 he married Victoria Alexandria Jane Johnstone of Kensington at Southbourne, Dorset, England. Aubrey returned to Australia in October 1918 on 'special leave', and his Victoria later joined him there. He recovered from the effects of the war and went on to work as a fitter at organisations including H.V. McKay and the State Rivers and Water Supply Commission. He and Victoria had three daughters before he passed away at home, aged 50 years.

Physical Description

Full colour certificate printed on off-white paper. Above is a classical portico, decorated with a frieze of infantry, warships, aircraft and artillery pieces. Below the frieze is the AMF badge with crown and rising sun. At lower corners are sprigs of wattle and bayonets. Australian and Union flags, shields and wreaths are either side of the text, and a red paper city of St Kilda seal is in the lower centre. In top left corner is printed 'THE GREAT WAR' and top right corner '1914-1919'. There are pieces of adhesive tape around the edges of the certificate.

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