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Auction: 25003 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 211

The 'Battle of the Ypres-Comines Canal 1940' M.M. pair awarded to Private J. Fatherley, East Yorkshire Regiment, who was latterly taken a Prisoner of War at the Battle of Gazala

Military Medal, G.VI.R. (4344670 Pte. J. Fatherley. E. York. R.); Efficiency Medal, Territorial, G.VI.R. (4344670 Pte. J. Fatherly. E. Yorks.), note spelling, slight edge bruise, contact marks, very fine overall (2)

M.M. London Gazette 20 December 1940, the original recommendation states:

'Whilst acting as a runner he maintained constant communication with Coy HQ. For several days he maintained this under fire and never failed to get a message through.
At Ypres on 28 May 40 he guided the stretcher bearer to badly wounded men in section posts and though exposed to mg fire succeeded in getting the wounded out. Whilst doing this, the section post being encumbered with casualties, he worked unprotected for a conservable time with a complete disregard for his personal safety.'

Jack Fatherley was born on 5 November 1920 and was embodied from the Territorial Amy on 31 August 1939. He was living at 89 Harrow Street, Hassle Road, Hull when the war began and was posted to the 4th Battalion, East Yorkshire Regiment.

Fatherley saw action at the Battle of the Ypres-Comines Canal where the British managed to hold the German advance for several days. It was there that he performed his act of gallantry before managing to safely withdraw and evacuate at Dunkirk.

Returning to action in the Desert Fatherley was present at the Battle of Gazala where he was lectured on how to act if he was captured by Company Commander. They were overrun on 1 June with the rest of 150th Infantry Brigade and Fatherley went 'in the bag'.

Taken to Campo 66, Capua Italy from 10 July he was transferred to Campo 53 on 9 October 1942 when he was held for the next year. When the Italian Armistice came into effect in September 1943, Fatherley did not attempt to escape and as such was taken to Germany.

His first camp there was Stalag 8C on 9 September 1943 before he was finally transferred to Stalag 4A on 23 December 1943. He remained there for the rest of the war and was repatriated to Britain.

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Estimate
£1,400 to £1,800

Starting price
£1100