15002 Medal Pages.qxp_Layout 1 03/07/2015 14:34 Page 205
July 23, 2015 - LONDON
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325 A Second War ‘Java’ P.O.W. Casualty Group of Four to Leading Aircraftman W. Butler, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve 1939-1945 Star; Pacific Star; Defence and War Medals, extremely fine, in named card box of issue, addressed to ‘Mrs. E. Butler, 20 Chaucer Street, Ilkeston, Derbyshire’, complete with named Condolence Slip; also with portrait photograph of recipient in uniform, and silk Japanese Rising Sun Flag, the latter with the inscription ‘Commemoration of the occupation by the British Armed Forces. A propitious day in February 1946’ (lot) £80-120
326 Eight: Major (Quartermaster) R.F. Baldry, Royal Anglian Regiment, Late Regimental Sergeant Major 3rd East Anglian Regiment, and Essex Regiment 1939-1945 Star; France and Germany Star; Defence and War Medals; United Nations Medal for Korea; General Service 1918-62, E.II.R., one clasp, Malaya (2665712 W.O.Cl.1. R.F. Baldry. 3 E. Anglian.); General Service 1962-2007, three clasps, South Arabia, Radfan, Northern Ireland (Lt. R.F. Baldry. 1 E Anglian.), with unofficial rivets; Army Long Service & G.C., E.II.R., with ‘Regular Army’ bar suspension (2665712 W.O.Cl.1. R.F. Baldry. 3 E. Anglian), light contact marks, therefore nearly very fine or better, mounted as originally worn, with the recipient’s related miniature awards and a Normandy Campaign Commemorative Medal, numbered ‘16296’ (8) £300-400
1156929 Leading Aircraftman Willis Butler, a native of Ilkestone, Derbyshire; served with the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve during the Second War; posted for service to Java, he was serving with No. 153 Maintenance Unit when he was captured by the Japanese, 8.3.1942; this was seven days after their invasion of the island; he died of disease whilst in captivity, aged 22, 16.11.1942, and is buried in Jakarta War Cemetery.
Major Raymond Frederick Baldry (1924-1997); born Oundle; enlisted Private, 2nd Battalion, Essex Regiment, 1942; the battalion took part in the Normandy Landings, as part of 56th Infantry Brigade, and landed on Gold Beach 6.6.1944; they also took part in the Battle of Le Havre and the advance through France and Germany; remained with the battalion in post-war Germany until 1953 (briefly returning home to Colchester to marry in 1951); served in Korea and Hong Kong before the Essex and Bedfordshire Regiments amalgamated to form the 3rd East Anglian Regiment; served as Regimental Sergeant Major with the newly formed regiment in Malaya (L.S.& G.C. 1960); commissioned Lieutenant (Quartermaster), 28.10.1963; the regiment amalgamated again and formed the Royal Anglian Regiment; Captain (Quartermaster) 1.4.1966; Major (Quartermaster) 13.12.1972; retired 24.11.1979, after 37 years’ service; died in Bedford aged 73.
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