WW1 Australian AIF War Medal Pair – Greenfield Brothers Both Killed in Action 1916 – 1st & 34th Battalion
An exceptional and highly emotive matched pair of original First World War British War Medals, awarded to two Australian brothers who both served with the Australian Imperial Force (A.I.F.) and both made the ultimate sacrifice on the Western Front during 1916.
The medals remain together as originally issued and are fitted with matching period brooch bars.
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Medal Details
774 PTE A. GREENFIELD 34 BN. A.I.F.
Private Albert Greenfield
Killed in Action – France
16 December 1916
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3325 PTE S. GREENFIELD 1 BN. A.I.F.
Private Stephen Greenfield
Killed in Action – Pozières, France
22 July 1916
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A Tragic Australian Family Story
Research confirms that Albert and Stephen Greenfield were brothers from New South Wales who both enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force during the First World War.
Stephen served with the renowned 1st Battalion AIF, one of the first Australian infantry battalions raised in 1914. He was killed during the savage fighting at Pozières on 22 July 1916, one of the bloodiest battles fought by Australian troops on the Western Front.
His younger brother Albert later enlisted in the newly raised 34th Battalion AIF, known as “Maitland’s Own.” Following training in Australia and England, the battalion entered the trenches in France late in 1916. Albert was killed in action on 16 December 1916, less than five months after the death of his brother.
The family’s sacrifice did not end there. Their brother-in-law, Private Thomas Wood (1030 AIF), had already been killed at Gallipoli on 21 September 1915, meaning this single Australian family lost three close relatives during the Great War.
Such documented family groups are highly sought after by Australian military collectors.
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The Medals
Both medals are the British War Medal 1914–1920, instituted by King George V and awarded for service overseas during the Great War.
Although an official British Empire award, medals named to members of the Australian Imperial Force are recognised today as an important part of Australia’s military heritage and remain among the most collected of all Australian military medals.
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Condition
* Original impressed naming to both recipients.
* Matching period brooch bars attached.
* Attractive untouched age patina.
* Honest service and handling wear.
* No evidence of polishing or cleaning.
* Please examine all photographs carefully as they form part of the description.
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A Rare Opportunity
Matched Australian AIF medals to brothers are seldom encountered.
A pair to brothers both killed in action during 1916, with their tragic story documented through official military records, represents an outstanding opportunity for collectors of Australian First World War history, Australian medal groups, or family research.
An evocative reminder of the enormous sacrifice made by Australian families during the Great War.
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