WWI Sports Medallion

This must be the month for badges and medallions. Last month we returned a welcome home badge and yesterday I received a Sports Medallion awarded to LT Austin James O'Connor
Austin was a 24 year old Commercial Traveller from Melbourne who was appointed to 7th Battalion, AIF on 6 March 1916. He was taken on strength with the battalion in France just over a year later.
On Anzac Day 1917 the 1st Australian Division held a sports carnival and Austin won the hurdles race. For this win he received a silver medallion with the following engraved on the reverse:

First

Australian Division

Hurdle Race

won by

LTN A J O'CONNOR

7th Bn

FRANCE

25/4/17

Austin was wounded in action on 20 September 1917 and died from these wounds four days later.

This medallion was sent to me by Brian P of South Perth who initially contacted the RSL National HQ and he was referred to me. The medallion is slightly bigger than a 10c piece and will be returned to Austin's niece.