Summary
Watermarked, paper certificate in recognition of 'Active Service in the Great European War' issued by 'The Mayor, Councillors and Citizens of the City of Caulfield,' with official seal, 27 September 1919. World War I.
Lieutenant Aubrey Wilfred Biggs, service number 1395, was a member of the 2nd Battalion, A.I.F. Born in 1892, he was a 23-year-old station hand in Hamilton when he enlisted. He was wounded three times during his war service, the last time losing an eye. He returned to Australia with 'gunshot wounds to the left chest, abdomen, eye and knee'. According to information given by his sister Estella in 1986, 'his leg was so severely wounded and lacerated it didn't heal for years'. The family also suffered the loss of Aubrey's brother, Edwin, who was killed in France in 1916, at the age of 20.
Estella looked after Aubrey on his return from the front; his war injuries are thought to have caused his premature death in 1945, at the age of 53, in New Zealand.
Aubrey married Judith McConnel in 1920; one of their sons, Anthony Kent Biggs, served in the RAAF in World War II, and was killed at the age of 21.
Physical Description
Paper certificate, printed on one side only. Rectangular in shape with black print and ink, red stamp seal at bottom right hand corner and coat of arms top centre. Watermarked.
More Information
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Collection Names
Returned and Services League (RSL) Collection, Military Memorabilia Collection
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Collecting Areas
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Acquisition Information
Donation from J. J. Crowley
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Awarded To
Lieutenant Aubrey W. Biggs, Caulfield, Greater Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 1915-1919
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Issued By
City of Caulfield, Caulfield, Greater Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
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Individuals Identified
BIGGS, AUBREY W. (LT.)
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Inscriptions
'LABORE VINCES' 'The Mayor, Councillors and Citizens of the City of Caulfield/Gratefully place on record their high appreciation of the patriotic and gallant conduct of Liuet. Aubrey W. Biggs 2nd Batt. in responding voluntarily to the call of Empire by enlisting for Active Service in the Great European War 1914-1918/ In witness whereof the Corporate Seal of the Municipality was affixed hereto in the presence of Mayor, W a Wharington (?) / Town Clerk, Howett (?) / Dated at Caulfield this 27th day of Sept 1919' On masking tape on reverse: 'J. Crowley Rosebud R.S.L. (059) 86-1246'
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Classification
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Category
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Discipline
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Type of item
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Overall Dimensions
49.5 cm (Length), 34.1 cm (Width)
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Keywords
Militaria: Australian, Wars & Conflicts, World War I, 1914-1918, World War II, 1939-1945
