Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria. Including a superb collection of medals to the King’s German Legion, Police Medals from the Collection of John Tamplin and a small collection of medals to the Irish Guards

A Second World War escaper’s M.M. group of five awarded to Bombardier W. H. R. Tutton, 2nd Anti-Tank Regiment, South African Artillery

Military Medal, G.VI.R. (143249 Bmbr. W. H. R. Tutton, S.A.A.); 1939-45 Star; Africa Star; War Medal 1939-45; Africa Service Medal, the last four officially inscribed ‘143249 W. H. R. Tutton’, nearly extremely fine (5) £1000-1200

M.M. London Gazette 1 March 1945. The recommendation states:

‘Following his capture at Gazala on 17 June 1942, Tutton was imprisoned at Tarhuna, Capua and Fara Nel Sabina (Camp 54).

Leaving Camp 54 with one companion on 11 September 1943, Tutton spent ten days in the Monte Libretti area before proceeding southwards. Four days later he was apprehended by Germans at Palombara and taken to a camp at Bracciano. On 28 September 1943, he succeeded in attaching himself as an additional member of a working party and, hiding behind a bush in the evening, his absence was not discovered by the guard. Joining four Italian parachutists, he travelled towards Allied lines, but was again recaptured near Olevano on 22 October 1943.

After being taken to Aquila Camp, Tutton again escaped by climbing out of a window and walking out of the main gate; although his only disguise was an Italian khaki jacket, he was not challenged. For five months he found shelter at Fossa before he went to Sulmona. Unsuccessful in his attempts to procure a guide, he reported to British troops who reached Sulmona on 10 June 1944.’

William Henry Ralph Tutton, who was born in December 1907, enlisted in the South African Artillery in June 1940. Joining ‘D’ Battery, 2nd Anti-Tank Regiment, S.A.A. in North Africa in July 1941, he was taken P.O.W. at Gazala in June of the following year. Having reported to British troops at Sulmona in June 1944, following the above described escapades, Tutton was flown home to South Africa and discharged that December. In April 1946, however, he was recalled to the Colours as part of the South African Contingent for the Victory Day Parade in London, and was discharged again back home that June.