Medals from the Collection of Warwick Cary, Part 3

The outstanding Second War ‘New Guinea Campaign’ 1945 ‘Long Ridge’ M.C. and 1942 ‘Eora Creek’ D.C.M. pair awarded to Temporary Captain G. E. Cory, 2/3rd Battalion, Australian Imperial Force, who, having been Mentioned in Despatches for his distinguished services with the Anzac forces in the Middle East, 1941, was severely wounded and decorated for leading an assault on a strongly defended Japanese position during the decisive battle of the Kokoda Campaign at Eora Creek, 28 October 1942.

Subsequently awarded an M.C. in 1945 for his brilliant handling of a daring raid on an enemy camp at Long Ridge in the Danmap region during the Aitape-Wewak Campaign, Cory’s combination of gallantry awards is unique for New Guinea

Military Cross, G.VI.R. reverse officially dated 1945; Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.VI.R (NX7864. Sgt. G. E. Cory. AIF.) light contact marks to D.C.M., otherwise very fine (2) £12,000-£15,000

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M.C. London Gazette 21 June 1945.

The original recommendation for an immediate award states: ‘For gallantry and distinguished service in action. Lieutenant Cory was in command of a two platoon attack on a heavily defended position on Long Ridge, Danmap Area, British New Guinea on 1 February 1945. After his forward scouts had reported the location and dispositions of the enemy forces, Lieutenant Cory made a recce and manoeuvred his two platoons into a position for attack. Committing one platoon to a frontal attack along a razor back feature he went into the assault with the leading elements personally directing operations. By his brilliant handling of the two platoons Lieutenant Cory completely disorganised the enemy defences, rapidly exploiting and consolidating on the captured ground. His men accounted for 33 known enemy dead, 6 LMGs and obtained valuable maps and documents. An enemy operational order was captured giving the intention of an enemy force to attack our positions, and identifying two new enemy formations in the vicinity. This information was of vital importance to our forces. Lieutenant Cory’s sound tactical appreciation, daring and resourcefulness was mainly responsible for the entire success of the operation.’

D.C.M. London Gazette 4 February 1943.

The original recommendation for an immediate award states: ‘For gallantry and outstanding devotion to duty. During an attack on a strongly defended enemy position on the high ground to the west of Eora Creek village on 28 October 1942, Sergeant Cory showed exceptional courage and leadership under very heavy fire, whilst commanding 14 PIatoon. His platoon suffered heavy casualties in N.C.O.s. Sergeant Cory moved rapidly from section to section directing operations with complete disregard for his personal safety. He received a severe facial wound, and though temporarily blinded continued to direct the assault until evacuated. The great success achieved by his platoon was largely due to Sergeant Cory’s personal effort and bravery under exceedingly heavy fire.’

M.I.D. London Gazette 30 December 1941:
‘In recognition of distinguished services in the Middle East (including Egypt, East Africa, The Western Desert, The Sudan, Greece, Crete, Syria and Tobruk) during the period February 1941 to July 1941.’

Gilbert Ernest Cory was born on 23 December 1906 at Saumarez, near Armidale, New South Wales, Australia. He was admitted as a solicitor in 1931 but then struck off following personal bankruptcy and was working as a motor car salesman when he enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force on 2 November 1939. Posted to the 2nd/3rd Battalion, 16th Brigade, he embarked for the Middle East on 9 January 1940, arriving at Kantara, Egypt on 14 February.

Middle East 1941 - M.I.D.
Cory first went into battle in the Australian Army’s opening action of the Second World War in North Africa when the 2/3rd Battalion took part in the 16th Brigade's advance against the Italians in eastern Libya during Operation Compass in December 1940. Successfully attacking at Bardia (3-5 January) and at Tobruk (21-22 January), his battalion remained as part of the Tobruk garrison when the advance continued. On 7 March 1941, the 2/3rd left Tobruk for Greece and, initially deployed north to the Veria Pass on 7 April to resist the anticipated German invasion, they engaged the enemy in battle at Tempe (Pinios) Gorge on 18 April. On this occasion the 2/3rd, together with the 2/2nd Battalion, blocked German movement through the gorge, allowing Allied forces to withdraw further south. Unable to prevent German forces from breaking through, however, the 16th Brigade was finally ordered to evacuate and, disembarking by sea from Kalamata on 27 April, Cory was shipped with the bulk of his Battalion to Egypt. Reforming in Palestine, the 2/3rd next took part in the campaign in Syria and Lebanon, fighting around Damascus (20-22 June), in the unsuccessful attempt to capture Jebel Mazar (24-28 June) and in the decisive Battle of Damour (6-10 July). However, with the war against Japan in the Pacific heating up, the Battalion was recalled to Australia and left the Middle East in March 1942. After a temporary diversion to Ceylon, Cory finally arrived back in Australia on 8 August 1942. He was mentioned in despatches for his distinguished services in the Middle East.

New Guinea, Kokoda Track 1942 - D.C.M.
Having already fought the Italians, Germans and Vichy French successively in the Mediterranean and Middle East Theatre, Cory, now a sergeant, was sent with his unit in September 1942 to the territory of Papua where the fighting against the Japanese on the Kokoda Track was reaching a critical stage. Overextended Japanese advances having finally been halted in mid-September at Ioribaiwa, the 2/3rd Battalion were sent as part of the 16th Brigade to relieve the exhausted and depleted Australian units on the Track and were tasked with launching a counter attack to drive the Japanese back through the Owen Stanley mountain range, past Kokoda to Buna in the North. ‘Along the route’, recorded the 16th Brigade, ‘were skeletons picked clean by ants and other insects, and in our nostrils the stench of the dead, hastily buried, or perhaps not buried at all.’

Arriving at Templeton’s Crossing on 19 October, the 16th Brigade, under Brigadier J. Lloyd, relieved the 2/25th and 2/33rd Battalions and continued to advance the next day, finding that the Japanese had withdrawn to Eora Creek where they had established themselves in strong concealed positions on high ground. Here the country offered what were possibly the most favourable conditions for defence along the whole length of the track between Port Moresby and Kokoda. Initially, under pressure from Generals Blamey and MacArthur, Lloyd decided they had little option but to assault the Japanese defences frontally but progress was halting and, amidst torrential rain, the Australians advancing up the gorge came under increasing mortar fire and grenades from the heights above, suffering a high number of casualties. Yielding to his battalion commanders’ representations, Lloyd agreed to a change of strategy and, on the 24 October, the 2/3rd battalion were or...