Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

General Service 1918-62, 1 clasp, Bomb & Mine Clearance 1945-49 (14894813 Spr. D. Collins. R.E.) extremely fine £360-400

Douglas Vivian Collins was born in Cardiff on 10 December 1919, and joined the Royal Engineers in December 1944; his father had served in the Royal Engineers during the Great War, and according to family tradition Doug wore his father’s cap badge at the earliest opportunity. After initial training he took part in the Liberation of Norway immediately after VE-Day in May 1945 (Operation Doomsday). He served in the 261st (Airborne) Field Company, Royal Engineers, as part of the 1st Airborne Division, but like many in his troop he was not parachute trained. He then served with the No. 4 Bomb Disposal Squadron, Royal Engineers, working alongside a detachment of German Prisoners of War, in bomb and mine disposal. He left the Army in October 1946, and died in Stroud, Gloucestershire, in 2001.

Sold together with a copy photograph of the recipient with his unit in Norway.