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Auction: 25112 - Orders, Decorations and Medals - e-Auction
Lot: 578

The Second World War group of five awarded to Private N. S. Vinden Australian Army, a native Welshman who was taken P.O.W. at Kuala Lumpur in January 1942 and who was finally released from captivity at Changi in September 1945

1939-1945 Star; Pacific Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45; Australia Service Medal 1939-45, all named (NX35502 N. S. Minden), mounted as worn, with War badge (238788) and corresponding miniatures, good very fine (11)

Norman Stuart Vinden was born at 5 Victoria Square, Penarth on 25 November 1907. He enlisted at Wagga, New South Wales on 21 June 1940 and originally joined the 8th Battalion before he transferred to the 2/19th Battalion on 28 July 1940. He embarked aboard the H.M.T. Queen Mary on 2 February 1941 for Singapore and he disembarked on 8 March 1941. Vinden was reported 'Missing' on 19 January 1942 but was confirmed as a POW at Kuala Lumpur and was subsequently marched to Changi, Singapore. He was admitted to hospital on several occasions and was eventually recovered from the Japanese at Changi on 5 September 1945 and embarked the HMAT Duntoon on 18 September 1945 disembarking at Sydney on 7 October 1945. He was discharged on compassionate grounds on 1 February 1946 and was issued with the badge (238788) and given a Degree of Disability of 45%. He departed Australia from Sydney on the Mooltan arriving in London, England on 15 December 1949.


Sold together with the following archive:

i)
Copy of Birth Certificate.

ii)
A Letter from Australia House to his father Mr H. J. Vinden dated 7 February 1942, confirming that his son had been reported Missing on 19 January 1942 whilst serving with 2/19 January.

iii)
A broadcast Note which had been heard over Shortwave from Singapore on 10 February 1942.

iv)
Covering letter from the Australian Military Forces, addressed to his father dated 18 February 1944, stating that the attached letter was part of an enemy propaganda programme.

v)
Letter from the Australian Red Cross Society to his father, dated 22 March 1944, stating he was interned at Malai Camp.

vi)
Two letters sent to him from his parents.

vii)
Note from General Sir Thomas Blamey given to P.O.W.s on their return from captivity.

viii)
Certificate of Discharge, dated 1 February 1946.

ix)
Letter for Life Membership of the British Legion, dated 29 May 1970.


x)
Several military and civilian photographs.

xi)
WW2 Occupation Currency and some minor Russian banknotes.


xii)
Returned Sailors Soldiers & Airmens badge (788945).

xiii)
Two Vesta cases and a silver tobacco box housing some minor coinage.

xiv)
Two Royal Life Saving Society medals.

xv)
British Legion Badge.

xvi)
Copy of the Straits Times dated 13 September 1945.


xvii)
Copy of the SEAC Newspaper dated 9 September 1945.

xviii)
Two leather binders, one embossed NSV and the other with a dragon emblem.

xix)
Copy of the Liberation of Brussels by the Guards Armoured Division on 3 September 1944, formerly the property of Travers Vinden.

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Sold for
£260

Starting price
£170