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Auction: 25113 - Orders, Decorations and Medals - e-Auction
Lot: 399

Pair: Captain G. H. Hadley, 16th Battalion (3rd Birmingham Pals), Royal Warwickshire Regiment, later Squadron Leader, Royal Air Force, who was taken prisoner of war at Vimy Ridge on 14 April 1917, who returned to service in the Second World War in the Technical Branch

British War and Victory Medals (Capt. G. H. Hadley.), contact wear, very fine (2)

Geoffrey Hugh Hadley was born on 16 February 1895, the son of Frederic and Ellen Hadley of 72 Cambridge Road, Moseley, Birmingham. Educated at King Edward's Grammer School, Birmingham he found work at S. A. Daniell Ltd, Birmingham. Enlisting initially with the 4th Queen's Own Hussars Hadley was commissioned 2nd Lieutenant on 20 November 1914 with the 16th Battalion (3rd Birmingham Pals), Royal Warwickshire Regiment.

Entering the war on 10 February 1916 he joined his Battalion on 13 February and entered the line at Vimy Ridge in March. Hadley's brother was killed in action with the 10th Battalion, Worcestershire Regiment on 3 July during the Battle of the Somme.

He was present for the Battle of Vimy Ridge, commencing on 14 April, where the initial offensive drove the Germans back. However when the 16th Battalion approached a fierce barrage drove them back and they dug in around the abandoned German trenches. There Hadley was taken prisoner of war during the withdrawal and taken to Karlsruhe Prisoner of War camp.

Repatriated on 29 November 1918 he joined the Territorial Army in February 1925 as Lieutenant. After some time he switched to the Royal Air Force Voluntary Reserve with the Administrative and Special Duties Branch. Advancer to the rank of Squadron Leader Hadley served in the Engineering Department during the Second World War; sold together with copied research.

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Estimate

Starting price
£70