Previous Lot Next Lot

Auction: 25111 - Orders, Decorations and Medals - e-Auction
Lot: 357

The Africa Service Medal awarded to Private W. P. Quinn, Royal Durban Light Infantry, who was taken Prisoner of War at Tobruk but later escaped and made his way to Allied lines in 1943

Africa Service Medal 1939-45 (2698 W. P. Quinn.), good very fine

William Patric Quinn was born at Durban, South Africa on 20 March 1918 and was noted in his attestation as already serving with the Royal Durban Light Infantry, presumably as a volunteer on 11 April 1940. Embarking in July 1941 for service in North Africa he joined 2nd Battalion there and took part in the war in the desert. The 2nd South Africa Division, to which the Battalion belonged, was part of the Garrison left in Tobruk after the Battle of Gazala when German forces moved to invest it.

After a series of steady probing attacks the Germans struck on 20 June, smashing a hole in the defences held by British and Indian troops and advancing towards the port. The next day the garrison, including Klopper's South African troops surrendered to the Germans and the bulk of them, Quinn included went 'in the bag'.

He was held in Italy until the signing of the Armistice in September 1943 when he escaped along with a number of other prisoners. Unlike most, Quinn was able to evade recapture and returned to Allied lines on 12 November 1943. He was taken back to South Africa by air on 1 January 1944 and served at home for the rest of the war, listing his address as 9 Grimsby Road, Montclair, Durban; sold together with copied research.

Subject to 20% VAT on Buyer’s Premium. For more information please view Terms and Conditions for Buyers.

Sold for
£60

Starting price
£60