A WW2 Australian ‘P.O.W.’ Group of 7 awarded to Private Leslie James Clare, 2nd/12th Australian Infantry Battalion, who was taken as a prisoner of war at Tobruk on, comprising: 1939-45 Star; Africa Star; Defence and War Medals, 1939-45, the latter officially impressed (NX11419 L. J. Clare); Australia Service Medal, 1939-45 (NX11419 L. J. Clare); Unofficial, Infantry Front Line Service Medal, Infantry; Unofficial, Battle for Britain Medal, 1939-45, ‘The Army’ clasp; Group court-mounted for wear, slightly polished, almost extremely fine (7) Private James Leslie Clare, of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, was born on 10 February 1918 and enlisted for WW2 service on 18 March 1940 at Paddington. Serving in North Africa with the 2nd/12th A.I.F., he took part in the Defence of Tobruk. On the 3rd-4th May 1941 the outer defences of Tobruk were attacked in force by German and Italian tanks and infantry, and on that basis it seems likely that Private Clare was taken prisoner of war during this hard fighting. Some months later, it was confirmed on 8 August that he was interned at Derna P.O.W. camp. He was later relocated to Camp Cappo in Italy, then to Camp Gruppignamo, and finally on to Stalag 8-A in Germany. He was liberated by allied forces and returned to the U.K. on 29 May 1945. With original certificate of discharge.

Estimate: GBP 150 - 200