Auction Catalogue

15 December 2011

Starting at 10:00 AM

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Orders, Decorations and Medals

Washington Mayfair Hotel  London  W1J 5HE

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Lot

№ 544

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15 December 2011

Hammer Price:
£430

Six: Driver R. Willsher, Royal Army Service Corps, who was awarded the Military Medal for his bravery in North Africa

General Service 1918-62, 1 clasp, Palestine (T/65076 Dvr., R.A.S.C.); 1939-45 Star; Africa Star; Italy Star; Defence and War Medals, M.I.D. Oakleaf, these unnamed; together with a mounted set of seven miniature dress medals, similar to the above but with the addition of a Military Medal, G.VI.R. and a ‘1st Army’ clasp to the Africa Star, extremely fine (13) £350-450

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, A Collection of Awards to the Army Service Corps.

View A Collection of Awards to the Army Service Corps

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Collection

M.M. London Gazette 23 September 1943. ‘No. T/65076 Driver Ronald Willsher, Royal Army Service Corps (South Harrow).’

M.I.D.
London Gazette 23 September 1943.

M.M. recommendation reads: ‘T/65076 Dr. Ronald Willsher, 185 Fd. Amb. R.A.S.C.’ ‘(i) 10 March 43. During shelling of the area near ADS 16 Para Fd Amb at Tamara and while the road Tamara-Djebel Aboid was under shell fire this driver continued to evacuate patients with complete efficiency. During one of his journeys to the A.D.S. a mine exploded some 20 yds from his ambulance but he continued his journey and brought back a car load of wounded. (ii) 4 Mar 43. While attached to RAP on the Beja Sector near Djebel Munchar evacuated casualties by amb car while under mortar fire. (iii) While attached to R.A.P. 5 Hamps was commended for devotion to duty prior to the battle of Sidi Nsir for driving his amb car over roads suspected of having been mined. (iv) His conduct during the recent battles has been at all times outstanding and his coolness and courage in driving his amb while under fire have been an example to all other drivers.’



Ronald Willsher was born on 20 November 1919. A Driver’s Mate by occupation, he enlisted into the R.A.S.C. at London on 23 February 1938. With them he served in Palestine, September 1938-November 1939; Home, November 1939-January 1943 and North Africa/Italy, January 1943-October 1944. Serving with the 1st Army in North Africa he was mentioned in despatches and awarded the Military Medal. Willsher was transferred to the Army Reserve on 3 September 1946 and discharged having completed his period of engagement on 22 February 1950.



With original Regular Army Certificate of Service; Soldier’s Service and Pay Book; M.I.D. Certificate; named ‘Buckingham Palace’ medal forwarding slip; slip to accompany the M.I.D. emblem; Army Certificate of Education (2), Second and Third Classes; Traffic Testers Certificate 1946; British Legion membership card 1948; and copied recommendation.