Previous Lot Next Lot

Auction: 25111 - Orders, Decorations and Medals - e-Auction
Lot: 537

A 'St. Valery 1940' P.O.W. group of four awarded to Private W. F. Sutton, Seaforth Highlanders, who went 'in the bag' with the Highland Division in 1940 and successfully escaped only to be re-captured after five weeks on the run

General Service 1918-62, 1 clasp, Palestine (2819006 Pte. W. Sutton. Seaforth.); 1939-45; War Medal 1939-45; General Service 1918-62, 1 clasp, Cyprus (S/2819006 W. O. Cl. 2. W. F. Sutton. R.A.S.C.), the first three mounted as worn, pitting and slight edge wear to first, overall very fine (4)

William Frederick Sutton was born in Old Kilpatrick, Dunbarton on 5 October 1914, the son of William and Sarah Sutton of Burns Street, Dalmuir. Attesting with the Seaforth Highlanders on 5 April 1932 he was still serving with that unit when they were posted to Palestine, later being transferred to the 2nd Battalion with whom he was serving on the outbreak of the Second World War.

They joined the British Expeditionary Force in January 1940 they were deployed to cover the Maginot Line when the Germans burst through the Ardennes and avoided the encirclement at Dunkirk. Instead, they were forced back to new positions at St. Valery-en-Caux, there the Germans managed to penetrate their perimeter and with evacuation impossible and the high ground above the court held by the enemy they were forced to surrender.

Sutton one of large numbers of British troops who were marched from France to Germany, whilst on his line of march he attempted to escape, his Prisoner of War questionnaire states:

'I escape[d] from the line of march in France at Roubaix by falling out and hiding in a wheatfield. My companions were L/C/ Myers and Pte. Mulholland, both of my regiment. I was recaptured by a German Coastal Battery five weeks later at Merlimont. I was fit. My companions were captured at the same time.'

After his recapture Sutton was taken to Hueburg in Bavaria where he remained for three months as the Germans attempted to prepare for the huge influx of prisoners. Moved initially to Stalag 21-CZ he left there in June 1941 being finally taken to Stalag XX-B at Marienburg where he remained until 1945. He was evacuated before the advance of the Red army and taken West with the rest of the prisoners, 'The March' as it was known through freezing weather and with terrible conditions.

Fortunately Sutton survived the ordeal and was liberated on the German surrender. Despite his suffering during the war he remained in the army, being advanced Warrant Officer Class II and transferring to the Royal Army Service Corps with whom he served in Cyprus. He died at Birkenhead, Cheshire in October 1897; 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
£420

Starting price
£140