Auction Catalogue

4 & 5 December 2008

Starting at 11:00 AM

.

Orders, Decorations and Medals

Washington Mayfair Hotel  London  W1J 5HE

Lot

№ 1185

.

5 December 2008

Hammer Price:
£80

Four: Private E. Best, Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, wounded in the Middle East, November 1942, struck by lightening, December 1943

1939-45 Star; Africa Star; Italy Star; War Medal 1939-45, all unnamed, mounted as worn, good very fine (4) £50-60

Edwin Best was born on 10 September 1919 and called up for military service on 15 February 1940, joining the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders. He was wounded in the back whilst serving in the Middle East, November 1942. He was then struck by lightening on 5 December 1943. His Hospital Record Card states, '.... standing under a metal balcony during storm remembers nil else till drinking tea in M.I. Room, Memory OK for rest of time. Said to have been pulseless & annocic(?) half hour, but came round - artificial respiration ....' He was treated at No. 11 General Hospital. Private Edwin Best was discharged from the Army on 23 February 1946.

Sold with Argyll & Sutherland badge; Soldier's Release Book, Class "A"; Soldier's Service and Pay Book (unused); an official slip informing 'Mrs E. Best, 60 Teal Road, East Bourne, Darlington' that Edwin Best had been wounded; a photograph of Best and another man; a copy of the book, The Highland Division, by Eric Linklater - this lacking cover, damaged and worn; a poem, 'The "D" Day Dodgers'; copied National Identity Card, dated 24 April 1946, showing an address at '5 Greens Row, Bedale, Yorkshire', and copied army medical records re. his 'lightening strike'.