A WW2 'Defence of Calais P.O.W.’ Pair with 3 related medals awarded Sapper John W. Hill, Royal Engineers, late 1st Battalion, Queen Victoria’s Rifles, wounded in action taken prisoner of war at Calais on 26 May 1940, comprising: 1939-45 Star; War Medal, 1939-45; With the following unofficial medals: National Service Medal, 1939-60; Dunkirk Medal, 1940; Poland, Auschwitz Cross; Pair court-mounted for wear, three unofficial medals mounted separately, with 6 items of regimental insignia on card display, with printed paper portrait, good very fine (11) Sapper John William Hill, of Thornton Heath, Surrey, enlisted for WW2 service on 18 January 1940 with the 1st Battalion Queen Victoria’s Rifles (a motorcycle battalion). Landing at Calais on 22 May, and heavily outnumbered, Calais fell on 27 May 1940. Sapper Hill is recorded as having been captured the day before, on 26 May 1940, having also been wounded in action. Wounded and in poor health, he was sent to Stalag XVIII-D and Stalag III-A but was repatriated on 16 January 1943, remaining in hospital until late October that year. He was later transferred to the R.A.O.C. as a storeman, and latterly served briefly with the R.A.M.C. and with the Royal Engineers after WW2. Offered with soldier’s service book, contemporary photographs and a folder of information and research.

Estimate: GBP 100 - 150