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Auction: 25113 - Orders, Decorations and Medals - e-Auction
Lot: 519

The very complete 'Battle of Arnhem' group of six awarded to Lance-Corporal B. F. Cannon, 3rd Battalion, Parachute Regiment, who was swam the River Rhine in order to escape going 'in the bag' at the withdrawal from that legendary action in September 1944; he was an experienced parachutist and his drop into Arnhem was not his first Operation, having previously taken this route into action 'around Paris'

1939-45 Star; Africa Star, clasp, 8th Army; France and Germany Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45; Efficiency Medal, E.II.R. Territorial, (22536219 W.O.Cl.2. B. F. Cannon. RA.), mounted as worn, good very fine (6)

B. Frank Cannon was a native of Luton, Bedfordshire and served with the Royal Norfolks, Lancashire Fusiliers and the Royal Armoured Corps before volunteering to the Parachute Regiment. At that point he '...wore the Africa Star with 8th Army Insignia' and thence joined the 3rd Battalion, Parachute Regiment and participated in an Op in and around Paris.

His next assignment was to share in perhaps the most feted of all actions of the Second World War, the Battle of Arnhem, 17-26 September 1944. They made their DZ west of Arnhem by 1400hrs and began their actions under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel Fitch. By the time of the evacuation, the remnants of the Brigade met up with the Seaborne element in Nijmegen, the 3rd Battalion numbered just 27 other ranks.

Cannon had to swim the Rhine, a frightening prospect and one which resulted in his 'catching a cold'; better than going in the bag however, a fate which met a great number of his comrades. He was latterly made Lance-Corporal and served in the VMG Platoon of HQ Company of the Battalion and was the recipient of the units private publication book Not in Vain, their account of the Arnhem Battle. He wisely sent his copy back to his wife.

Latterly serving in the Territorial Army, Cannon was made a Warrant Officer in the Bedfordshire Yeomanry.

Sold together with his Wartime pressed card identity tag to '5781931 Cannon B. F.', three cap Badges, collar Badges, OCA Para Wings, bullion unit Badge and WINGS, his copy of Not in Vain, with outer card envelope for postage to his wife, inscribed in ink, together with his photograph album, to include a plethora of unpublished scenes of the recipient during the Second World War, newspaper cuttings, Para Regimental Association Membership and documents, this last a notable source of wartime images for the unit.

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Estimate

Starting price
£2300