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Auction: 26002 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 134

Four Lance-Corporal J. A. Maris, 1st Battalion, Cambridgeshire Regiment, who was taken prisoner of war at Adam Road at the Fall of Singapore and spent time on the Thai-Burma Death Railways, committing acts of sabotage for good measure

1939-45 Star; Pacific Star; War Medal 1939-45; Efficiency Medal, G.VI.R., Territorial (5933299 Pte. J. A. Maris. Camb.), mounted as worn, good very fine (4)

John Alfred Maris was born on 19 August 1918 at Linton, Cambridgeshire and enlisted into his county unit in April 1939. Serving with the 1st Battlalion in the Far East, he went 'in the bag' at the Battle of Adam Road, Singapore and initially was held at Changi. He was thence held at River Valley, March-October 1942, Wampo from October 1942-April 1943, Tonchan from April-August 1943, Chungkai (near Kanchanaburi - inspiration for Bridge over the River Kwai) from August 1943-March 1944, Tamuan from May 1944-May 1945 and finally at Nakom Nye from May-June 1945. Maris is recorded as having participated in sabotage at both of these last two camps, destroying vital dumps of Japanese petrol and fuel.

Returned home, he probably shared in the parade of returned POWs at Ely and was discharged in June 1946; his Medals were issued to Balsham Road, Linton in August 1948. Maris died in November 1992 having been admitted to Addenbroke's Hospital.

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Estimate
£240 to £280

Starting price
£190