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Lot

№ 403

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17 February 2021

Hammer Price:
£3,000

Eight: Captain W. O. H. Collins, South African Intelligence Corps and Raiding Support Regiment

1939-45 Star; Africa Star; Italy Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45, with M.I.D. oak leaf; Africa Service Medal, these six all officially impressed (223554 W. O. H. Collins); Coronation 1937; Coronation 1953, together with companion miniature medals, both sets mounted as worn, good very fine (16) £240-£280

M.I.D. London Gazette 30 June 1942.

William Osborne Hope Collins was born in Cape Town on 4 June 1909, and educated at Tonbridge and Cambridge University from where he graduated M.A. He was a Lieutenant in the 5th (Cinque Ports) Battalion, Royal Sussex Regiment T.A., 1928-32; Assistant Superintendent, Tanganyika Police, 1935-36; A.D.C. to Governor of Tanganyika, 1936-37; Staff Officer Tanganyika Police, 1937. Acting Captain, 4th Battalion, Native Military Corps from September 1940 to February 1941, served in East Africa and Abyssinia, attached to various units, March to November 1941; South African Intelligence Corps, November 1941 to April 1943, served in Egypt, attached to 6th South African Armoured Division, from April to November 1943; seconded for service with U.K. Forces, attached to Raiding Support Regiment from November 1943, and served with R.S.R. in Palestine, 1 November 1943 to April 1944; in Italy and Dalmatian Islands, April to August 1944; and in Greece, August to November 1944, during which period he was wounded near Kosani, Greece, on 10 September 1944. He went on leave in December 1944 and was released in January 1945. Sold with copied record of service confirming all awards.