The following biography is extracted from an article that appeared in Sabretache, the Journal of the Military History Society in Australia of June 1973. The article, written by M. Downey and titled The Medals of the Legion of Frontiersmen deals with a description of Norman Garden’s medal and has been edited so that it forms a short biography of him for inclusion on the Legion’s homepage. The original article was written following the death of Norman Garden in Sydney in 1971. Several aspects of Norm Garden’s career are interesting. Not the least of which is that he was a member of the Australian Naval and Military Expeditionary Force that invaded and captured the German Colonies in the Western Pacific shortly after the commencement of the First World War. The Australian Legion’s official History The Spirit of the Legion notes that members of the Victorian and Tasmanian units formed the “Australian Force which captured Samoa”. It is not generally known but these men were the first Australian troops to see action in the First World War. Further work is being done on this aspect of the Legion’s History.

According to Sabretache

“Norman H. Garden commenced his military career in the School Cadet Corps of the 40th Battalion at Burwood, N.S.W. As a cadet officer he helped his company to win the Brigade Championships of 1911-1912. This entitled his unit to the award of a Silver medal by the Commonwealth of Australia.

“Norm Garden joined the N.S.W. Lancers after leaving school and prior to his enlistment into the Australian Navy. In August 1914, he joined the Australian Naval and Military Expeditionary Force. The task that confronted this Force was the taking over of the German possessions in New Guinea.

“The men of the 1st AN&MEF were the first Australian soldiers to go into action in World War 1. They landed at Blanche Bay in New Britain on the 11th September 1914 and after a short engagement captured the radio station. The next day the town of Rabual fell to the Australians.

“After a number of minor skirmishes plus a brief period when he was co-opted as a clerk in the Treasury Branch of the New Guinea Administration, Private Garden returned to Sydney in March 1915.

“He then enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force as a gunner with the 4th Division Artillery. This Division saw much active service in France during 1917-18. Private Garden finished the War with the rank of Extra-Regimental Corporal.

“Following his discharge from the A.I.F. in 1920, Norm Garden joined the Legion of Frontiersmen and worked his way up through the ranks until he was promoted to Commandant of the Legion in New South Wales. He died in Sydney in 1971.”

Downey then follows with a description of the Medals awarded to Norm Garden and states that “I believe that Norman Garden’s (medal) group to be a unique one.”

Medals awarded to Norman H. Garden (LoF 14712)

• · Commonwealth Military Competition Senior Cadets Medal Reverse engraved “1911-12” and “Cadet N.H. Garden 40th Bn.”
• 1914-15 Star. Impressed to “114 Pte N.H. Garden 1/AN&MEF”
• 1914-19 War Medal Impressed to “114 EF/Cpl N.H. Garden 1/AN&MEF”
• 1914-19 Victory Medal Impressed to “114 ER/Cpl N.H. Garden 1/AN&MEF” Legion of Frontiersmen Long Service and Efficiency Medal. Engraved on the reverse is “FRT/SM N.H. Garden”
• Legion of Frontiersmen Meritorious Service Medal Impressed on the rim is “14712 Lt. N.H. Garden”
• Legion of Frontiersmen Merit Medal. Engraved on the Rim is “Capt. N.H. Garden L of F. N.S.W.”
• Legion of Frontiersmen Long Service & Efficiency Medal. Engraved on the rim is “Comdt. N. Garden”

Reference: Downey, M. (1973) The Medals of the Legion of Frontiersmen. In Sabretache June 1973 pp 150-152.