Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Six: Private J. Cranston, King’s Own Scottish Borderers, late King’s Own Royal Lancaster Regiment

1939-45 Star; Atlantic Star, 1 copy clasp, France and Germany; Africa Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45, with M.I.D. oak leaf; General Service 1962-2007, 1 clasp, Borneo (23871821 Pte. J. Cranston. KOSB.) mounted court-style, light contact marks, good very fine (6) £140-£180

John Cranston ‘was born in Hammersmith, London, on 1 April 1927, and, having moved with his family to Blackpool in 1939, joined the King’s Own Royal Lancaster Regiment in 1944 aged 17, after lying about his age. In January 1945 he volunteered for service with the M.A.A./R.A. where he was wounded in April of that year. He was also Mentioned in Despatches at the same time for single-handedly manning an Anti-Aircraft gun whilst wounded in his left arm and left leg with shrapnel. He was repatriated back to the U.K. to recover from his wounds, and was subsequently posted out to India for 3 years until his discharge in 1949.
He re-enlisted back into the Army in about 1953, and joined his father’s old unit the King’s Own Scottish Borderers. Posted the following year to the School of Infantry in London training foreign Officers, he was promoted Sergeant in 1958, but reverted to Private the following year for conduct unbecoming and being drunk and disorderly. He was given the post of Clerk to the Adjutant, and served with the Regiment in Borneo. He left the Army in 1965, and died on 23 September 1989.’ (hand written note with the lot refers).

Sold with copied Ministry of Defence letter, dated July 1992, which confirms the award of the Mention in Despatches for April 1945; and a photograph of the recipient with his wife.