Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A well-documented Second World War Croix de Guerre group of five awarded to Corporal Jean Gholam, 2nd Regiment of Chasseurs, Special Air Service (S.A.S.), who saw action in France and Holland 1944-45

France, Croix de Guerre 1939-1945, with a bronze star and bronze palm on ribbon; Croix du Combatant Voluntaire 1914-18, note earlier issue rather than the 1939-45 type; Croix du Combatant; Free French Forces Voluntary Service Medal 1939-45; Netherlands, Commemorative War Cross, 1 clasp, Krijg te Land 1940-1945, together with the recipient’s original red beret with embroidered S.A.S. badge, generally good very fine (6)

Together with Amherst 7 April 1945 S.A.S. Commemorative Medallion, by Melinand, obverse, opened parachute bearing assorted battle honours and the S.A.S. regimental crest; reverse, ‘Amherst 7 Avril 1945’, with parachutists about to jump, 73mm., bronze-gilt; a ‘Desiderius Erasmus Roterodamus' Commemorative Medallion, 50mm., bronze-gilt, in Koninklijke Begeer, Voorschoten card box of issue; and related three lapel badges, one enamelled bearing the letters, ‘F.A.F.L.’ (Forces Aériennes Françaises Libres - Free French Air Force); the other two in silver of ‘parachute wings’, the smaller stamped, ‘621’ on reverse £2000-3000

Jean ‘Johnnie’ Gholam was born in Libya in February 1925 and enlisted in the Free French Forces in December 1942. Embarked for the U.K. in the summer of 1943, he was awarded his Parachutist’s Brevet and joined the 2nd Regiment of French Chasseurs in the Special Air Service (S.A.S.). He subsequently saw action in France and Holland and was awarded the French Croix de Guerre, with bronze star. The citation states:

‘A young parachutist, full of energy, courage and exceptional dedication. He parachuted into Brittany on 12 June 1944 and took part in fighting in Saint-Marcel on 18 June 1944. Following that he participated actively under instructions from Resistance fighters. During the fighting he particularly distinguished himself by leading the group - most notably at Hennebont (Morbihan) 0n 16 August, by engaging 15 Germans who had surrounded the group and taking 11 of them prisoner; on 7 August he participated in an attack on an Anti-Aircraft defence post.’

To which deeds were added:

‘He participated, in particularly difficult conditions, in a parachute operation in April 1945, in the north of Holland, an operation that significantly assisted the rapid advance of 2 (Canadian) Corps and the liberation of the country.’

The citation for his Dutch Commemorative War Cross states likewise, with specific mention of him having been dropped by parachute behind enemy lines at Drenthe on the night of 7-8 April 1945. Thus further confirmation of his part in Operation “Amherst”, the Free French S.A.S. attack designed to capture intact assorted Dutch canals, bridges and airfields, the whole led by Brigadier Mike Calvert of Chindit fame.

Gholam was discharged in September 1945 and died in Cheshire in January 2008.

Sold with a quantity of original documentation, including:

(i) Official copy of the regimental order for his award of the Croix de Guerre, with bronze star, dated 25 May 1945, with citation; together with an earlier version of the citation, dated in December 1944.

(ii) Certificate of award for his Free French Forces Voluntary Service Medal 1939-45, dated in Paris, 20 November 1948.

(iii) Certificate of award for the Dutch Commemorative War Cross, dated 2 January 1951, with citation.

(iv) Letter informing the recipient of his award of the Croix de Combatant Voluntaire, as per an official order issued on 18 July 1985; the same letter invites him to apply for his award from a company in Paris, or a locally based specialist, so a probable explanation for his earlier variety of the Cross.

(v) Authorisation to wear the S.A.S. badge, signed by Lieutenant-Colonel Bourgoin, Commandant of the 2nd Regiment of Chasseurs.

(vi) Certificate for his Parachutist’s Brevet, issued at R.A.F. Ringway on 1 June 1945, in respect of his graduation back in January 1944; another, issued by the French Minster of Defence in July 1954.

(vii) Companion of Liberation certificates (2), issued by the 2nd Regiment of Chasseurs, dated 4 October 1945, with citations for his Croix de Guerre.

(viii) Official statement of services (2nd Regiment de Chasseurs Parachutistes), dated at Nantes, 25 September 1945; together with related testimonial, confirming service in the regiment - and the S.A.S. - from August 1943 until October 1945, this signed by Lieutenant-Colonel de la Bollardiere.

(ix) One wartime photograph of the recipient’s immediate group in Holland, and four further images of an investiture.

(x) A small assortment of religious and other good luck charms.