Orders, Decorations and Medals

Four: Lieutenant J. H. McTavish, East Yorkshire Regiment, captured in North Africa, March 1942

1939-45 Star; Africa Star, clasp, 8th Army; War Medal 1939-45, these unnamed; Efficiency Medal, G.VI.R., 1st issue, Territorial (Lt., E. Yorks.) good very fine (4) £140-180

James Hill McTavish was born on 31 May 1912 in Bicester, Buckinghamshire. He received an emergency commission in the 4th Battalion East Yorkshire Regiment on 2 November 1940. The 4th Battalion was part of the 150th Infantry Brigade Group, 13 Corps. It comprised of four rifle companies and a support company. The 4th Battalion East Yorkshire Regiment was destroyed on 28 March 1942 about a fortnight before the start of the battle of Gazala, in which the unit, after a gallant defence, was overrun by the enemy. Lieutenant McTavish along with 30 other officers was captured. He was imprisoned in Oflag 79 at Waggum, near Brunswick. With extract from a published P.O.W. listing.