Seven: Acting Sergeant J. W. Addlesee, Royal Signals, who was captured and taken Prisoner of War by the Japanese in Malaya on 17 March 1942

India General Service 1908-35, 1 clasp, North West Frontier 1935 (2322363 Sgln. J. W. Addlesee. R. Signals); India General Service 1936-39, 2 clasps, North West Frontier 1936-37, North West Frontier 1937-39 (2322363 Sgln. J. Addlesee. R. Signals.); 1939-45 Star; Africa Star; Italy Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45, mounted court style for wear, edge bruise to first, otherwise nearly extremely fine (7) £400-£500

Jack Whiteley Addlesee was born on 30 May 1911 and lived at 39 Fellows Road, Beeston, Nottingham. A former ship’s apprentice, he enlisted into the Royal Signals on 16 November 1932 and served with ‘A’ Corps during the Second Mohmand campaign from August to October 1935. Transferred to the 18th Divisional Signals as Acting Sergeant, he witnessed the Fall of Singapore in February 1942 and was himself captured by enemy forces a short while later; sent to a host of P.O.W. camps including Pedang, Belawan, Gloegoer, Petai and Pakanbaroe, he spent his final months engaged in constructing a railway line to facilitate the movement of Japanese troops and coal.

In common with many compatriots who suffered deprivations over such a long period of time, this work proved extremely detrimental to his health. Released from hospital on 15 September 1945, he was by family repute ‘just 6 stone’ upon the cessation of hostilities and suffering from a wound to the wrist caused by a bayonet. Remarkably, recent correspondence between a family member and the vendor adds: ‘He was a lovely man, the best way to describe him was twinkly and quite wise, very good to talk to.’

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