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• Auction House:
  Leonard Joel
• Sale Name:
  Collectables Auction
• Sale Date:
  01 Apr 2012 ~ 12noon
• Lot #:
  347
• Lot Description:
  WW1 DSO, MC, Mid Group Of Five Awarded To Brigade Major Herbert Roy Gollan
  mounted on display bar: Distinguished Service Order; Military Cross engraved to reverse 'Captain H.R. Gollan Awarded 3 June 1918'; 1914-15 Star impressed to reverse 'Cpl. H.R. Gollan AIF'; British War Medal and Victory Medal with MID impressed to rims 'Captain H.R. Gollan AIF', mounted and framed with commemorative ANZAC Gallipoli medal and reproduction of a photograph of Gollan in uniform.
• Notes:
  Together with related service documents and other ephemera including: - recommendations for DSO and MC - MID certificate - Appointment as 2nd Lieutenant - Appointment as Honourary Captain MC Citation London Gazette 3 June, 1918: 'This officer has served since the commencement of the war in Egypt, Gallipoli, France and Belgium. Originally with 58th Battalion in France as Assistant Adjutant he was requested by G.C.C. 5th Division during the SOMME campaign to transfer to the 54th Battalion for the purpose of effecting an improvement in the organisation and discipline of the Battalion which as a reas a result of heavy losses had become somewhat disorganised. Its improvement was thence forth most marked. He became Staff Captain of this Brigade in September last prior to the 3rd Battle of YPRES and acted as such throughout the whole of that campaign during the Autumn of 1917 and winter of 1918. Despite the very trying times experienced Capt Gollan has never failed to carry out his duties with the utmost energy and determination and the general efficiency of the Brigade during this period is largely due to his intelligent anticipation of the course of events. In particular during the POLYGON WOOD offensive our dumps were continually blown up or on fire and much material was destroyed, but owing mainly to Capt. Gollan's energy and zeal these losses were as constantly made good and as a result in the action which followed practically no shortage of munitions or supplies was experienced notwithstanding the enemy action. I strongly recommend him for consideration' DSO Citation London Gazette 3 June 1919: 'For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty during the period 16th/17th September to 11th November, 1918. During the period under review this officer in his capacity as Brigade Major had to prepare and issue all orders for the attack launched on HINDENBURG LINE near BELLICOURT on 29th September, 1918. The accurate manner in which he arranged all details for the attack was worthy of the very highest praise. Throughout the operation the forward Brigade Headquarters were established in close proximity to the front line and were subjected to intense artillery fire. In spite of these very trying conditions the work performed by this officer was of the highest order and left nothing to be desired. The neat and precise manner in which this Officer at all times carries out his work has been responsible to a very great extent for the efficiency of the Brigade as a whole. His indefatigable energy at all times makes him well deserving of the award for which he is recommended.' OTHER NOTES Herbert Robert Gollan (1892-1968) was born on 19 August 1892 at Gawler, South Australia. He was educated at Bendigo Central School, Victoria. After leaving school he served an apprenticeship in printing before moving on to journalism, working with the Hamilton Spectator and Geelong Advertiser. Gollan enlisted with the AIF on 26 October, 1914 and was posted as a Corporal with headquarters staff, 3rd Light Horse Brigade embarking for Egypt on 1 February, 1915. At Gallipoli he was promoted to Staff Captain as Brigade Clerk at. He was struck down by fever and evacuated to hospital in Wales. He returned to Egypt in February, 1916 and was transferred to 58th Battalion, serving in France. After moving to 54th Battalion he was injured and returned to Britain and rejoined action in April. In May 1917 Gollan was promoted to Captain and remained mainly with 15th Brigade until the end of the war. In 1918 he was awarded the Military Cross and later the Distinguished Service Order. He was also Mentioned in Dispatches on two occasions. After the war Gollan continued to serve in the Militia, rising to the rank of Major. He continued his career in journalism, as chief of staff with the Advertiser and later as reporter with the Melbourne Argus. He married Muriel May Hyett in Bendigo on 17 April 1920. After a stint in the publicity office with Victoria Railways, Gollan joined the Victiorian Government Tourist Bureau and was appointed manager in 1927. He then took the role of assistant general manager of the Argus and Australasion. In 1931 he became president of Victorian Travel League, then was managing editor of Melbourne Strand between 1933-36 and manager of Argus and Australasian 1936-37. Gollan moved to Bombay, India in 1937 as representative of the Australian National Travel Association. In 1940 he was appointed Australian government trade commissioner to India after nominating himself. He also took on the role of advising Australia's representative on the Eastern Group Supply Council, Sir Bertram Stevens. He replaced Stevens in 1942 until leaving the post in 1945. Gollan was then promoted to senior commissioner, posted to Calcutta, then Bombay. In 1948 Gollan was appointed Australian high commissioner to India, based in New Delhi. He was well suited to the position, but, despite his efforts found it hard to improve relations between India a
• Estimate:
  A$15,000 - 20,000
• Realised Price:
  *****
  

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• Category:
  Militaria & Weapons

This Sale has been held and this item is no longer available. Details are provided for information purposes only.