Auction Catalogue

18 & 19 September 2014

Starting at 10:00 AM

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Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Washington Mayfair Hotel  London  W1J 5HE

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Lot

№ 1414

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19 September 2014

Hammer Price:
£2,600

A fine Second World War Italy operations M.M. group of six awarded to Private M. Pook, Hampshire Regiment, who was decorated for his gallantry on the first day of the Salerno landings in September 1943, on which occasion he was knocked out by a shell burst and hit in the leg, but nonetheless returned to the fray, firing his Bren gun from the hip - he was subsequently killed in action

Military Medal, G.VI.R. (5499645 Pte. M. Pook, Hamps. R.); 1939-45 Star; Africa Star; Italy Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45, good very fine (6) £1200-1500

M.M. London Gazette 13 January 1944. The recommendation for an immediate award states:

‘At Porto S. Venere on 8 September 1943, Private Pook’s company was counter-attacked by enemy infantry and A.F.Vs (Armoured Fighting Vehicles). Private Pook showed great courage and tenacity in engaging successfully enemy parties with his Bren gun. He was blown up by a shell burst and temporarily knocked out. On recovering himself he at once got his gun in action again. In this he showed an excellent spirit, moving forward from position to position, firing through the grape vines from the hip whenever he could pick out a target. Subsequently, he was wounded in the leg, but continued to fire until exhausted and ordered by his Platoon Commander to withdraw.’

Mark Pook, who was from East Wittering, was decorated for the above cited deeds while serving in the 1st Battalion, Hampshire Regiment. He died the following day, either from his wounds or, as per the
London Gazette, in action, and was buried in the Salerno War Cemetery.