Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Great 1918 ‘Somme’ M.M. group of four awarded to Sergeant R. A. Lyons, 53rd Australian Infantry Battalion, Australian Imperial Force, who was a Lewis gunner and was twice wounded in action - 19 July 1916 and 13 March 1917

Military Medal, G.V.R. (3345 Sjt. R. A. Lyons. 53/Aust: Inf.); 1914-15 Star (3345 Pte. R. A. Lyons. 2/Bn. A.I.F.); British War and Victory Medals (3345 Sjt R. A. Lyons. 2 Bn. A.I.F.) mounted for display, VM partially officially corrected, generally very fine (4) £700-£900

M.M. London Gazette 14 May 1919. The original recommendation states:

‘During the operations near Bellicourt from 30th September to 2nd October 1918, this N.C.O. rendered most gallant and valuable service as No. 1 Lewis gunner. During the early stages of the attack he repeatedly rushed forward with his gun to give covering fire to the rest of his Company. He several times went out under heavy machine gun fire to collect magazines from casualties and was thus enabled to keep his gun in action throughout the operation. While a bombing block was being built he went out and took up a position in the open from which he was able to give covering fire and keep the enemy away until the block was complete.’

Reginald Armand Lyons was born in Surrey Hills, Sydney in 1893. He enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force at Warwick Farm, New South Wales, 17 August 1915. Lyons embarked for Egypt with the 2nd Australian Infantry Battalion in November 1915, and having transferred to the 53rd Australian Infantry Battalion, served in the French theatre of war from 28 June 1916.

Lyons was wounded in action, 19 July 1916, and advanced to Lance Corporal in September 1916. He was wounded again, 13 March 1917, and was awarded the M.M. for his gallantry near Bellicourt on the Somme, 30 September - 2nd October 1918. The Battalion records give heavy hand to hand fighting for the period, with 3 German officers and 31 other ranks taken prisoner, and over 200 German dead counted in the area. Six 77mm field guns and 42 machine guns were also captured. Battalion casualties amounted to 3 officers and 18 other ranks killed in action and 4 officers and 34 other ranks wounded.

Lyons advanced to Sergeant in December 1918, and returned to Australia in April 1919. He was discharged, 18 July 1919.