Medals relating to Private Edgar “Eddie” Wright, 1939–1965

Historical note:

Edgar Wright volunteered for the Australian Army from Britain. He was one of those posted to 3rd Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment (3RAR), to replace the men lost in the battle of Maryang San in 1951, during the Korean War.

As a signaller, Wright carried the unit’s radio. He was mentioned in despatches for his “courage and marked ability to maintain efficient communication when under fire at close quarters”. Promoted to corporal, he stayed in the army, serving in both the Malayan Emergency (1948–60) and the Indonesian Confrontation (1962–66).

Wright donated his battledress jacket and winter field jacket to the Anzac Memorial in 2001, both of which are currently on display in the Centenary Exhibition. His service medals, identifying his overall career and MID in Korea, complement these objects and will also be displayed in the new exhibition.

Eddie Wright's jackets (centre) on display at the Memorial's Centenary Exhibition

Materials:

cotton; medals; ribbon; metal; silk

Category:

Awards and decorations

Conflict:

Korean War (1950-1953); Malayan Emergency (1948–60); Indonesian Confrontation (1962–66)

Production Date:

1939-1965

On this day

3 June

1942 — Battle of MIDWAY began. This decisive victory by the US Navy over the Japanese Navy shifted the balance of sea power in the Pacific and forced Japan to abandon plans to attack New Caledonia, Fiji and Samoa. Japanese losses were 4 aircraft carriers, 1 cruiser, 248 aircraft, and over 3,000 sailors. American losses were 1 aircraft carrier, 1 destroyer, 150 aircraft, and 307 men

1944 — 78 Squadron, RAAF, carried out the last major air combat by the RAAF in WW2, off BIAK Island, New Guinea. 10 enemy planes were shot down for the loss of one Australian plane and pilot

1969 — HMAS MELBOURNE collided with USS FRANK E EVANS in the South China Sea. EVANS was cut in half and 74 of her crew were killed