Watch List notes:

Group of Four to DOW: 1939-45 Star; Pacific Star; War Medal 1939-45; Australia Service Medal 1939-45. VX129390 R.M.Stewart. All medals impressed. Contact marks on last medal this very fine, the rest extremely fine - uncirculated.

Ronald Malcolm Stewart, born 22Jan1900 at Sydney, NSW; Enl.02Feb1939 at Prahran, Vic; WIA 17Jun1942 (in Japanese attack on MV Macdhui); DOW 23Jun1942 at Papua, as Sergeant, 39Bn; Buried at Port Moresby (Bomana) War Cemetery; Commemorated on Roll of Honour at South Yarra, Vic and at the Australian War Memorial.

On 17th June 1942 the Japanese aircraft attacked the Burns Philp steamer, MV Macdhui, when it was docked in Fairfax Harbour at Port Moresby while members of the 39th Battalion were unloading drums of aviation fuel from her hold. The ship tried to manoeuvre across the harbour but suffered a direct hit that killed four men and others were injured. The next day they attacked again and this time made four direct hits that destroyed the ship's steering gear and she hit a coral reef, rolled onto her side and as fires broke out, the ship's Master ordered abandon ship.

With research and photocopy excerpt from 'Mud Over Blood' History of the 39th Battalion.
($720-800)