Watch List notes:

Group of Four to POW: 1939-45 Star; Africa Star; War Medal 1939-45; Australia Service Medal 1939-45. QX13597 J.E.Messenger. The third medal engraved, all other medals impressed. Streaky toning on last medal, otherwise extremely fine.

John Ernest Messenger, labourer, age 36, born at Brisbane, Qld; Enl.01Jul1940 at Kelvin Grove, Brisbane, Qld, with previous service of 5 years in AMF; Emb.13Jul1940; served as Private in Middle East 26Dec1940 to 22Sep1945 with 2/15 Infy Bn; reported MIA and believed POW 07Apr1941 at Derna, Libya; confirmed as POW 15Jun1941; RTA 23Aug1945; Disch.06Nov1945; Died 07Jun1976.

John Ernest Messenger wrote an undated letter stating that he had not received any service medals since his discharge from the Army in 1945. At the bottom of the letter a third party has written the 4 medals he is entitled to, as listed above, and a notation, 'To engraver 22/3/68'. Perhaps the three impressed medals were found and the missing War Medal 1939-45 was engraved.