British War Medal 1914-20 : Lance Corporal M Connell, 1 Battalion, AIF

British War Medal 1914-20. Impressed around edge with recipient's details.

Associated with the service of Michael Connell. Connell was born in Sydney, NSW in 1883 and was a labourer on enlistment on 17 April 1915 in 1 Battalion, 6 Reinforcements.

Embarking for overseas service aboard HMAT Karoola on 16 June he was taken on strength at Gallipoli on 6 August by the Commanding Officer, 1 Battalion.
Serving on the peninsula until the evacuation, Connell disembarked at Alexandria from HMT Hunstgreen on 28 December.

Proceeding to the Western Front to join the British Expeditionary Force on 22 March 1916 Connell disembarked at Marseilles on 28 March. Serving with 1 Battalion in the field until November, he was granted leave and proceeded to England on furlough. However on 10 December Connell was admitted to Rochester Row Hospital with gonorrhoea. He was discharged on 31 January.

Rejoining 1 Battalion in France on 13 February,l he suffered a gunshot wound to his left arm on 15 April while the unit was advancing at Doignies. He was transferred by 11 Ambulance Train to 11 Stationary Hospital, Rouen before being admitted to 2 Convalescent Depot on 27 April.

Returning to 1 Battalion in the field on 23 June Connell was appointed Lance Corporal on 1 September. He was killed in action at Passchendaele on 3 October. He has no known grave and is commemorated on the Menin Gate Memorial at Ypres.

• Victory Medal : Lance Corporal M Connell, 1 Battalion, AIF