Miscellaneous

The Medal Ribands from the V.C. group of seven awarded to Staff Sergeant G. J. Howell, V.C., M.M., 1st Battalion, Australian Imperial Force. Comprising the ribands for the Victoria Cross; Military Medal; 1914-15 Star; British War Medal 1914-20; Victory Medal 1914-19; Coronation 1937; and Coronation 1953, mounted on the recipient’s original bar, and housed in a leather wallet, the cover embossed ‘G. J. (Snowy) Howell V.C. M.M.’, good condition £200-£240 --- V.C. London Gazette 27 June 1917: ‘For most conspicuous bravery. Seeing a party of the enemy were likely to outflank his Battalion, Corporal Howell, on his own initiative, single-handed and exposed to heavy bomb and rifle fire, climbed on to the top of the parapet and proceeded to bomb the enemy, pressing them back along the trench. Having exhausted his stock of bombs, he continued to attack the enemy with his bayonet. He was then severely wounded. The prompt action and gallant conduct of this N.C.O. in the face of superior numbers was witnessed by the whole Battalion and greatly inspired them in the subsequent successful counter attack.’ M.M. London Gazette 26 May 1917. George Julian Howell was born in Enfield, Sydney, New South Wales, on 21 November 1893, and served with the 1st Battalion, Australian Imperial Force during the Great War at Gallipoli from 4 November 1915, and then on the Western Front. He was awarded the Military Medal for his services during the Battalion’s capture of Demicourt on 9 April 1917, and the Victoria Cross for his gallantry near Bullecourt on 6 May 1917, during which action he was severely wounded. Discharged on account of his wounds on 5 June 1918, he saw further service at home during the Second World War, and was advanced Staff Sergeant. He died in Perth, Western Australia, on 23 December 1964. Howell was invested with both his V.C. and M.M. by H.M. King George V at Buckingham Palace on 21 July 1917. His medals are held by the Australian War Memorial, Canberra.