British War Medal 1914-20: Ordinary Signalman Reginald Baden Gottschalk, RAN

British War Medal 1914-1920. Impressed around edge with recipient's details.

Born on 29 June 1900, Reginald Baden Gottschalk entered the Royal Australian Navy on 20 March 1915, as a Boy Second Class. He re-engaged on 29 June 1918 for an additional seven years. Qualifying as a signalman, Gottschalk served in HMAS Sydney in the North Sea between November 1916 and November 1919, and later served in HMAS Melbourne between 1921 and 1923. He was discharged in 1925.

Gottschalk enlisted in the Second World War on 6 February 1942 and served with the Royal Australian Air Force Promoted to sergeant in October 1942 and warrant officer in 1943 Gottschalk was initially mustered as motor boat crew before qualifying as a coxswain first class. He served at RAAF Base Rathmines, the largest seaplane base in the southern hemisphere and also saw service in the Pacific. He was demobilised on 4 February 1946.