The British War Medal and Victory Medal pair awarded to Ernest Leo Mulhane, who was wounded in action whilst serving with the Imperial Camel Corps in Egypt and Palestine.

 

Ernest Leo Mulhane was born on 26th July 1891 at Wellington. Son of William Joseph and Margaret Mulhane (nee Murphy). Prior to the First World War Ernest worked as a cheesemaker for Joseph Nathan and Co. (later Glaxo) at Wellington. He attested for service in June 1916, and sailed as a trooper with the 19th Reinforcements, New Zealand Mounted Rifles in December 1916. On arrival in Egypt Mulhane was transferred to 16th (NZ) Company, Imperial Camel Corps, joining his unit in the field in February 1917.

 

On 27th November 1917, during a fierce Turkish attack and Allied counter-attack at Bald Hill, north of Jaffa, Mulhane was wounded. Suffering shrapnel wounds to his left elbow and thigh, Mulhane was evacuated to Heliopolis. On his recovery via the Aotea Convalescent Home at Abassia, Mulhane returned to his unit in January 1918. On the disbandment of the Imperial Camel Corps in mid-1918, Mulhane transferred to the 2nd Machine-Gun Squadron, New Zealand Mounted Rifles with whom he was still serving when the war ended. He subsequently returned to New Zealand and was discharged from the NZEF in September 1919.

 

Ernest Mulhane returned to Wellington, where he worked as a laboratory assistant and, later, and analyst. He died at Silverstream on 13th April 1987, his ashes being interred at Karori Cemetery.

 

Both medals are correctly impressed 27939 TPR. E. L. MULHANE. N.Z.E.F.

Casualty medals to the New Zealand companies of the Imperial Camel Corps are always sought-after, so this is a good opportunity to obtain a fine example group.