Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Family group:

Four: Private R. H. Howell, 1st Battalion, South African Police, Union Defence Force, who was taken prisoner of war during the attempted break out from Tobruk in June 1942, and was present on the forced ‘Long March’ across Germany, January - April 1945
1939-45 Star; Africa Star; War Medal 1939-45; Africa Service Medal, all officially impressed (SAP198137 R. H. Howell) generally very fine

One: Attributed to Edith I. Howell, née Bentley
South African Medal for War Service, unnamed as issued, in card box of issue, with The Priory in South Africa, St. John Ambulance War Work lapel badge, and St. John Ambulance Association re-examination cross, gilt-metal (SA 602), mint state (5) £80-£120

Ronald Herbert Howell was born in Kimberley, Cape Province South Africa in March 1920. He was employed as a Constable in the South African Police, Transvaal Division, and was mobilised to serve with the 1st Battalion, South African Police, which disembarked in Egypt in June 1941. Howell was with the Battalion 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 interned at Campo 110 (Sardinia). Whilst interned at the latter he contracted Malaria.

Howell was subsequently transferred to Germany and interned at Stalag 9C (Mulhausen), where he was detached to form part of a Work Party in sugar and seed factories. Howell then took part in the forced ‘Long March’ across Germany January - April 1945.

Howell was eventually discharged repatriated, and returned to service with the Police in Pinetown, Natal South Africa after the war. He purchased his discharge in March 1952.

Sold with the following documents relating to Mr R. H. Howell and Mrs E. I. Howell: Enclosure slip for campaign medals, with O.H.M.S. envelope addressed to recipient; Certificate of issue for South African Medal for War Service, named to ‘Edith Ianthe Bentley’, and dated 3 March 1946; and O.H.M.S. envelope addressed to recipient ‘c/o Const. R. H. Howell, S.A.P., Pinetown, Natal.’

Sold with extensive copied research.