Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Six: Corporal J. Riley, Seaforth Highlanders

General Service 1918-62, 1 clasp, Palestine (2818253 Pte., Seaforth); 1939-45 Star; Burma Star; France and Germany Star; Defence and War Medals, M.I.D. oak leaf, the last five in original card forwarding box, together with Seaforth Highlanders plaid brooch and three regimental badges, extremely fine (10) £200-250

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, A Selection of Medals from the Collection of the Late Noel Morris.

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Joseph Harry Riley, who was born at Keithley, Yorkshire in February 1909, enlisted in the Seaforth Highlanders at Leeds in February 1931. Posted to the 1st Battalion, he served in Egypt, Hong Kong, Shanghai and Palestine prior to the outbreak of hostilities, and fought with the Battalion in the Assam and Burma campaigns of 1942-43, winning a mention in despatches (London Gazette 16 December 1943 refers). Riley afterwards returned to the U.K. and witnessed further active service in the North West Europe operations, either with the 2nd, 5th, 6th or 7th Battalion. He was finally released to the Reserve in the rank of Corporal in January 1946, and retired to Overstrand in Norfolk, where he died in December 1977.

Sold with an impressive photographic archive (approx. 80 images), many from the recipient’s time in Hong Kong and Shanghai, but also including several large format regimental unit photographs; and a large quantity of related documentation, including original M.I.D. certificate; Soldier’s Service and Pay Book; Soldier’s Release Book and much besides.