WWI Casualty Victory Medal. Ruffley. 47th Battalion AIF. New South Wales. Remembered on Menin Gate.

Correctly named 1539 Sjt W Ruffley 47 BNn AIF

WW1 Australian Menin Gate Casualty Medal & Photo – 47th Bn AIF.

An incredibly poignant and historically significant Great War medal to a high-ranking Non-Commissioned Officer who made the ultimate sacrifice during the Third Battle of Ypres (Passchendaele).

Photographic History: An original portrait photograph of William in full uniform.
Biographical & Service Highlights.

Origins: Hailing from Sydney, New South Wales, William answered the call early in the war.

Gallipoli Campaign: Sent with the Mediterranean Expeditionary Force (MEF) to Gallipoli in April 1915.

Serving initially as an Armaments Sergeant, his leadership and capability were quickly recognized.
Rapid Promotion: By July 1915, he had risen through the ranks to the senior position of Regimental Quartermaster Sergeant (RQMS).

The Western Front: By January 1917, having arrived in France to join the bitter fighting in the Ypres Salient near Zonnebeke.

Killed in Action: RQMS Ruffley was killed in action on October 13, 1917, during the brutal operations around Passchendaele.

Memorial Significance
Having no known grave, William’s name is permanently engraved on the iconic Menin Gate Memorial in Ypres, Belgium, commemorating the missing dead of the Commonwealth forces.

The medal retains its original silk ribbon.