A rare Second World War escaper’s M.M. group of four awarded to Private S. Westland, Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders

Military Medal, G.VI.R. (2879102 Pte. S. Westland, A. & S.H.); 1939-45 Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45, the first with edge nicks and contact marks but generally good very fine (4) £1800-2200

M.M. London Gazette 2 December 1941:

‘In recognition of distinguished services in the Field.’

Stanley Westland, a native of Aberdeen, was decorated for his courageous escape after being captured in France in June 1940, an account of which was recorded by M.I. 9 on his return to the U.K. in July 1941:

‘I was captured at St. Valery en Caux on 12 June 1940. We were marched to Rouen (15 June). There I escaped, but was caught in a cafe before the P.W. had left the town. We then resumed our march to St. Pol (19 June) and Bethune. In Bethune I escaped a second time on 22 June with Private A. F. D. Harper, 1/Gordon Highlanders, and Private Dunbar of the same unit (later escaped from Stalag 190).

We got civilian clothes and money in Bethune and were directed to Auchel, where we had an address. Harper was accommodated there, while Dunbar and I were sheltered by another French woman and were fed by the owner of a cafe. We remained in Auchel for about two months and then had to move to Calonne-Ricourat because of the arrival of German troops. On 23 September Dunbar changed to another house and was caught by the Germans. During the time I was in Calonne-Ricourat I made frequent visits to Bethune where, with the French woman who had befriended us in June, I used to take food to the British wounded in hospital. We helped one of them - Corporal J. A. Gill, 1/8th Lancashire Fusiliers to escape by taking civilian clothes into the hospital for him.

I left Bethune on 19 November, and after a week in Paris, crossed into Unoccupied France and went to Perpignan. From there I crossed into Spain on 3 December, where I was detained in concentration camps for 6 months before my release for repatriation.’

Sold with copied research, including Private Dunbar’s M.I. 9 debrief papers.

Withdrawn