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Auction: 25111 - Orders, Decorations and Medals - e-Auction
Lot: 552

Four: Corporal E. Scanlan, 2nd Battalion, Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders, who died of dysentery as a Prisoner of War of the Japanese in March 1942

India General Service 1936-39, 1 clasp, North West Frontier 1936-37 (2979681 Pte. E. Scanlan. A. & S. H.), attempted erasure over naming; 1939-45 Star; Pacific Star; War Medal 1939-45, very fine (4)

Edward Scanlan was born in 1912, the son of Edward and Mary and husband of Mrs L. Scanlan of Acregate Lane South, Preston, Lancashire. Having been educated at St Ignatius' School and worked at the Horrockses Crewdson & Co. Mill as a weaver, he joined the British Army in 1934. Having served on the North-West Frontier, he served with the 2nd Battalion, Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders in the Battle of Malaya.

The book Moon over Malaya - A Tale of Argylls and Marines gives excellent details of their struggles and the epic last stand at Singapore. Scanlan himself would have been one of the gallant band of just 94 - mainly from 'A' Company - to come out of the Battle of Slim River in January 1942, with the majority of their comrades going 'in the bag' at this point. Joined together in late January with the scant few Marines to also live to fight another day, they manged to also take on a few survivors from the Repulse and Prince of Wales to form the 'Plymouth Argylls'.

It was a futile act, for they were to themselves go into captivity at the Fall of Singapore, Scanlan recorded as having been captured on 15 February 1942. He was clearly suffering from the effects of a bruising campaign and fell ill. The good solider died of dysentery on 1 March 1942 and is buried in the Kuala Lumpur (Cheras Road) Civil Cemetery. His grave is further inscribed:

'THE GREATEST BATTLE EVER FOUGHT, IT WAS FOUGHT BY THE MOTHERS OF MEN'.

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Sold for
£240

Starting price
£110