03/09/2026
James Alexander Graham and his younger brother John Telfar Graham, both from Waitara, Taranaki, enlisted just five days apart in August 1914.
James served with the Auckland Infantry Battalion and landed at Gallipoli in May 1915. Just three days later, during the Second Battle of Krithia, he was severely wounded while advancing across the area known as the “Daisy Patch” under heavy Turkish machine-gun fire.
After recovering, James returned to Gallipoli before later serving on the Western Front, including during the Battle of the Somme. He rose through the ranks to Sergeant and, in 1918, was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal (MSM) for valuable services in the field.
Only 56 Meritorious Service Medals were awarded to members of the New Zealand armed forces during the First World War, making James's award particularly scarce.
His brother John served with the Wellington Mounted Ri**es and fought at Chunuk Bair. On 12 August 1915, he was shot during the defence of the position and died from his wounds in Alexandria just eight days later.
It is always an honour to offer medals like these at auction. It is through these medals that we can retell just a few of the many stories of service and sacrifice made by those who came before us.
Numismatic Auction 37
Lot 6 Estimate: $1,600
Friday 18 September
https://www.mowbrays.co.nz/
