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Auction: 25111 - Orders, Decorations and Medals - e-Auction
Lot: 584

'Anyhow that was one of the few bits of luck we did manage to have, because after a short stary in the Hellfire Box- long enough to cover the blowing of the famous Pass- we began our journeyings once more, at Mersa Matruh were nearly cut off by elements of three enemy divisions. These gentlemen lost no time in sorting us out, having already cut the road behind us in copy-book fashion. When it seemed a dead cert that we should go neatly into the bag, orders were received to try and make a break for it. None who were present at that conference will ever forget the atmosphere; it was evident that many would not make the rendezvous, and it seemed hard to think that years of training only led to this'

from Mediterranean Journey: The Story of the 1/4th Essex, quoted in The Eagle magazine

The well-documented campaign group of five awarded to Private A. P. McCarthy, 1/4th Battalion, Essex Regiment, whose unit saw some of the heaviest fighting of the Second World War at Hellfire Pass and Mersa Matruh, where McCarthy was fortunate to evade capture only to rally at El Alamein and drive the Germans back, seeing action in Italy at Monte Cassino

1939-45 Star; Africa Star, clasp, 8th Army; Italy Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45, sold together with a large archive of original material included the named box of issue, good very fine (5)

Albert Percy McCarthy was born at Shoreditch, London on 5 November 1917, the son of Edward McCarthy, by 1939 he was working as a Clerk in a Cotton Wool Manufacturer. Enlisting with the Essex Regiment he was assigned the service number 6021592 and joined the 1/4th Battalion.

The Battalion was initially posted to Serria Leone and then, by way of Egypt, to Palestine. They were there when Rommel began his operations in Libya and swift German victories saw the Battalion rushed back to the front. They arrived in time to cover the retreat from the Hellfire Box and pulled back with the rest of the British forces to Egypt where they were posted to the fortress town of Mersa Matruh.

There another serious defeat awaited the British as X Corps found itself surrounded lost almost half its number with the men of the 1/4th Essex forced to attempt a breakout. In the event of the 400 men to make the run for freedom some 260 managed to evade capture, including McCarthy.

Unlike most of the mauled Corps the Essex were back in the line for action during the First Battle of El Alamein which halted the German advance. Later taking part in the Second Battle which began the final German withdrawal from the Middle East, a list of posting written by the recipient includes an annotation after the Fall of Tunis noting 'Battle over in Egypt'.

The Regiment returned to Alexandria and spent some time in Syria before being post to Italy in November 1943. They joined the 8th Army front in January 1944 and were present at Cassino from 10 February-28 March which would put them there during the Second and Third attempts on Monte Cassino.

Surviving the brutal fighting McCarthy went on to serve in Italy for some time before being transferred to Greece in November 1944 until February 1945 whereupon he was posted to Britain; sold together with copied research and an archive of original material comprising:

i)
Large photo album and a number of loose photographs, the album including both photographs and a list of postings both typed and handwritten, annotated by the recipient.

ii)
A copy of The Eagle magazine, detailing some of the actions the 1/4th Essex Battalion fought.

iii)
Several newspaper articles relating to the War in the Desert and 4th Indian Division in particular.

iv)
An Essex Regiment cloth shoulder title.

v)
The Personal Christmas Message from the Army Commander in 1943.

vi)
Soldier's Release Book.

vii)
Old Comrades association Service of Remembrance order of service and roll of honour.

viii)
National Registration I.D. card named to the recipient.

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Sold for
£120

Starting price
£80