Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Second War M.M. group of three awarded to Fusilier A. Ridley, 7th Battalion, Royal Northumberland Fusiliers, who was taken prisoner of war at St. Valery-en-Caux, 12 June 1940, took part in sabotage whilst imprisoned at Warthelager, and developed gastric ulcers whilst being forced to work in the coal mines at Katowitze

Military Medal, G.VI.R. (4607656 Fsr. A. Ridley. R. North’d. Fus.); 1939-45 Star; War Medal 1939-45, very fine (3) £1,400-£1,800

M.M. London Gazette 21 February 1946.

Arnold Ridley was born in August 1909, and was a native of Plymouth. He enlisted in August 1925, and served during the Second War with the 7th Battalion, Royal Northumberland Fusiliers in France from October 1939. The Battalion served as part of the 51st (Highland) Division, initially stationed near the Maginot Line and then withdrawing towards north west of France.

Ridley was taken prisoner of war when the Battalion was trapped at St. Valery-en-Caux, 12 June 1940. He was imprisoned at a number of camps including: Warthelager, July 1940 - April 1943; Posen, April - August 1944 and the mining camp at Katowitze, August - November 1944 (during which period he developed gastric ulcers, whilst working in the coal mine). According to his M.I.9 debrief, Arnold took part in sabotage whilst imprisoned, ‘set fire to 2 barns at Warthelager station abut 1.1.41.’

Sold with the following related items and documents: P.O.W. Camp identity tags; silver prize medal, obverse engraved ‘A. Ridley’, reverse engraved ‘2nd D.W.R. Inter Coy. Boxing Winner D.M.G. Coy.’; bronze prize medal for Boxing in the Deccan District, India; named Buckingham Palace enclosure for M.M.