Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Six: Rifleman R. J. Anderson, London Irish Rifles, Royal Ulster Rifles

1939-45 Star; Africa Star, clasp, 8th Army; Italy Star; Defence and War Medals, these unnamed; Efficiency Medal, G.VI.R., 1st issue, Territorial (7014063 Rfn. R. J. Anderson, R.U.R.L.I.R.) extremely fine (6) £100-140

Reginald James Anderson was born in Kensington, London, on 2 March 1903. An Auditor by occupation living in Farnborough, Kent, he enlisted into the London Irish Rifles, Royal Ulster Rifles (T.A.) at Chelsea on 28 September 1938 and was called up for war service on 3 September 1939. He served throughout the war in the London Irish Rifles, latterly serving as a Lance-Corporal in H.Q.56 (London) Division. In his release papers it was stated that he had, ‘performed the duties of Post Corporal .... with a thoroughness and probity beyond praise. He has performed his duties during two years of fighting in often unbelievable conditions of climate, danger and strain. ....’ Transferred to the Army Reserve on 5 November 1945.

With a quantity of associated papers and items, including: T.A. Attestation Form; Soldier’s Service Book; Soldier’s Release Book; Certificate of Transfer to the Army Reserve; Army Book 152 (covers only); Record of Service Card; Army Prayer Book, with ‘London Irish Rifles “A” Coy.’ stamp-mark; W.W.2 medal forwarding slip; Efficiency Medal forwarding slip, dated 23 November 1948; registered envelope addressed to ‘Mr R. J. Anderson, “Bayford”, Cudham Lane, Farnborough, Kent’; small certificate for crossing the equator, 1942; Field Message Book; photograph of the recipient in uniform; two other photographs; two identity disks; two cap badges - one for the ‘First Surrey Rifles’.

Together with a W.W.1 Memorial Scroll mounted on card to ‘Rfn. William Charles Anderson, London Regiment’ ; a General Post Office Memorial Card, named to ‘Mr William Charles Anderson’, dated 1916, who had served six years as an officer of the G.P.O. and two letters and one envelope from William Anderson to his mother from the Western Front. 3337 Rifleman William Charles Anderson, “D” Company, 2/21st Battalion London Regiment (First Surrey Rifles), was killed in action, France/Flanders, 4 October 1916, aged 20 years. He was buried in the Louez Military Cemetery, Duisans. He was the son of Mr A. J. and Mrs Elizabeth Anderson of West Norwood, London.