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Auction: 21003 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 425

(x) Five: Major W. J. R. Heppell, Royal Engineers, who received a 'mention' while serving with 4 Special Service Brigade, Commandos during the Second World War

1939-45 Star; France and Germany Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45 with MID Oak Leaf; Efficiency Decoration, G.VI.R., Territorial, the reverse officially dated '1951', E.II.R. Second Award Bar, mounted as worn, very fine (5)

Wilfred John Richardson Heppell was commissioned 2nd Lieutenant in the Territorial Army on 18 September 1939. Likely present at Dunkirk he was certainly involved in training 1st Battalion, Grenadier Guards in explosives handling as a letter thanking him from this unit was sent on 3 August 1941, sent from Piddlehinton Camp, Dorset. He served with the rank of Captain with the Commandos from 20 April 1944, seeing action in North West Europe and earning a 'mention' (London Gazette 9 August 1945, refers). Leaving the Commandos on 22 November 1945 he continued to serve with Territorial Army. Promoted Major on 14 March 1953, he appears on the September 1962 Army list in that capacity; sold together with Dunkirk commemorative medal with a named document of issue and the D-day commemorative medal with Normandy Bar in its Royal Mint case of issue, as well as an archive of original document including original 1939 commission, M.I.D. certificate, Commando Service Certificate and a large number of photographs illustrating his service as well as a copied 1962 Army List and an original Commando blazer Badge.

Subject to 5% tax on Hammer Price in addition to 20% VAT on Buyer’s Premium.

Sold for
£750

Starting price
£210