Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A good Second World War Tunisia operations D.C.M. group of four awarded to Lance-Sergeant L. Raynor, Coldstream Guards: severely wounded at the time of winning his decoration for gallantry at “Longstop Hill” in April 1943, he was discharged as permanently unfit on his return to the U.K.

Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.VI.R. (2658372 L. Sjt. L. Raynor, C. Gds.); 1939-45 Star; Africa Star, clasp, 1st Army; War Medal 1939-45, this last privately inscribed, ‘2658372 L. Sjt. L. Raynor, C. Gds.’, good very fine and better (4)
£3000-3500

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, The Collection of Medals to the Coldstream Guards, R.F.C., R.N.A.S. and R.A.F. formed by the late Tom Baugh.

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D.C.M. London Gazette 23 September 1943. The original recommendation states:

‘On 26 April 1943, this N.C.O’s platoon came under very heavy machine-gun and mortar fire from hills overlooking their position. After suffering casualties the platoon withdrew, leaving Lance-Sergeant Raynor and his section behind. He showed great coolness and courage under very difficult circumstances and reorganised the defence of the area. He on several occasions went across open ground swept by fire to fetch ammunition. This N.C.O. has repeatedly displayed great courage in action throughout the North African campaign, and has been an inspiration to all under his command.’

Leslie Raynor was born in Swinton, near Rotherham, in January 1916 and enlisted in the Coldstream Guards in May 1938. Posted to the 2nd Battalion, he served in the B.E.F. out in France from September 1939 until the Dunkirk evacuation in June 1940, and was embarked for the Middle East in November 1942, where he served until being severely wounded by a gunshot wound to his abdomen during his D.C.M.-winning exploits at “Longstop Hill” in Tunisia on 26 April 1943. Evacuated to the U.K., he was discharged as permanently unfit that November, the same month in which he received his D.C.M. from the King at Buckingham Palace; sold with a file of research, including an original newspaper cutting and copied service record.