Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Four: Private M. J. Clarke, 2nd Battalion, Transvaal Scottish, Union Defence Force, who was taken prisoner of war during the attempted break out from Tobruk in June 1942

1939-45 Star; Africa Star; War Medal 1939-45; Africa Service Medal, all officially impressed (221493 M. J. Clarke) very fine (4) £80-£100

Melville James Clarke was born in August 1907, and was a citizen of Johannesburg. He enlisted in the Union Defence Force in July 1940, and was subsequently posted to the 2nd Battalion, Transvaal Scottish. Clarke disembarked in Egypt, and was with the Regiment when it attempted to break out of the Axis cordon surrounding Tobruk, 21 June 1942, ultimately leading to the Garrison’s mass surrender on that date. He was taken prisoner of war by the Italians, and was initially interned at Campo 54 (near Rome). There is a 3 month period unaccounted for in his POW debrief, and it is possible that Clarke escaped, only to be recaptured. He was subsequently transferred to Germany and interned at Stalag VII-A, Moosburg, before being sent to a Work Camp near Munich.

Sold with extensive copied research.