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Auction: 25112 - Orders, Decorations and Medals - e-Auction
Lot: 494

Four: Lance Corporal W. R. Harley, 1st Battalion, Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders, who was taken prisoner of war during the Fall of Crete in 1941

India General Service 1908-35, 1 clasp, North West Frontier 1935 (3384619 Pte. W. Harley. A.&S. H.); India General Service 1936-39, 1 clasp, North West Frontier 1936-37 (3384619 Pte. W. Harley. A.&S. H.); 1939-45 Star; Africa Star; War Medal 1939-45, sold together with the recipient's certificate of service and two education certificates, sometime cleaned, light edge bruising and contact marks, very fine overall (5)

William Robertson Harley enlisted at Manchester on 6 April 1932 with the East Lancashire Regiment and served in China from 3 January 1933. Transferring to Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders on 13 June same year he was posted to India on 13 November 1933 until 9 November 1938. Returning home he was posted to the 1st Battalion in Palestine on 3 September 1939 in time for the outbreak of the Second World War.

They were transferred to Crete to aid in the Island's defence following on 17 May 1941 being stationed at town of Tymbaki in the south east. A large portion of the battalion was posted to the island of Heraklion on 24 May to support the defence of the airfield, these men were later evacuated. However, those left at Tymbaki were not so lucky and were taken prisoner of war on 23 May 1941, Harley was amongst their number.

He was taken to Germany where he remained a prisoner of war at Stalag IIID near Berlin and Stalag IVD, Torgau on the Elbe until 23 April 1945. Returning home Harley was finally discharged on 17 February 1946; sold together with copied research, the recipient's certificate of service and two education certificates.

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Sold for
£300

Starting price
£230