Auction Catalogue

18 & 19 July 2018

Starting at 11:00 AM

.

Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Live Online Auction

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Lot

№ 992

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19 July 2018

Hammer Price:
£80

Three: Private R. Wilson, Dorset Regiment, who was killed in action in the push across the Rhine, possibly by friendly-fire, 16 February 1945

1939-45 Star; France and Germany Star; War Medal 1939-45, with named Army Council enclosure, in card box of issue, addressed to ‘Mr. C. Wilson, 3 Thornley Road, Preswich, Manchester’, nearly extremely fine (3) £80-120

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, A Collection of Medals to Second World War Casualties.

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Collection

Roy Wilson served during the Second World War as a Private with the 5th Battalion, Dorset Regiment. On 15 February 1945 the Battalion was involved in the push across the Rhine and the taking of the town of Berghof. Arriving on the outskirts of the town the following morning, 16 February, they came under machine gun fire from both the enemy and troops of the 7th Battalion, Hampshire Regiment. Unknown to them, at the same time that the Dorsets had approached Berghof, the enemy had counter-attacked in an attempt to hold the town. The Hampshires, not realising the situation, were not only keeping the Germans at bay, but also men of the Dorsets, with heavy casualties.

Wilson was amongst those killed, possibly by friendly-fire, aged 19. He is buried in Reichswald Forest War Cemetery, Germany. His medals were sent to his father Cecil Wilson.

For the medals awarded to the recipient’s brother, Sergeant F. Wilson, see the previous lot.