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Auction: 25111 - Orders, Decorations and Medals - e-Auction
Lot: 536

(x) A 'Fall of Tobruk 1942' P.O.W. group of four awarded to Private F. Herbert, 1st Battalion, Sherwood Foresters

General Service 1918-62, 1 clasp, Palestine (4970210 Pte. F. Herbert. Foresters); 1939-45 Star; Africa Star; War Medal 1939-45, good very fine (4)

Frank Herbert was stationed with the 1st Battalion in Palestine when the Second World War began, during that time he was acting as a Bandsman. They moved to Cyprus and from thence to Egypt in early 1942, becoming a motorised Battalion at that stage. Arriving on the Tobruk Perimeter at the start of June 1942 they were there when the British lost the Battle of Gazala.

The victorious German and Italian forces surrounded the town, steadily probing the perimeter over the course of several days. They struck hard on 20 June hammering through the British and Indian sector of the line with a massed tank assault. The bulk of the British troops were taken prisoner of war that day although the official surrender did not occur until 21 June. Herbert was taken prisoner of war and likely held in Italy, he was repatriated in 1945.

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

Sold for
£160

Starting price
£80