Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Pair: Private J. A. Elsby, Gloucestershire Regiment, attached Royal Ulster Rifles

Korea 1950-53, 1st issue (2054034 Pte. J. A. Elsby. Glosters.); U.N. Korea 1950-54, unnamed as issued, small verdigris spot to UN medal, otherwise nearly extremely fine (2) £240-£280

James Arthur Elsby was born at Sandyford, Tunstall, Stoke-on-Trent, on 11 December 1920, and initially joined the 214th Field Company, Royal Engineers (Territorial Army) in 1938. Attesting for the East Lancashire Regiment on 14 January 1939, he served with the 1st Battalion as part of the British Expeditionary Force during the Second World War, and was evacuated from Dunkirk on 2 June 1940. From October 1941 he served in the Defence Platoon of the HQ 71st Infantry Brigade, landing in Normandy on 18 June 1944. Wounded or ill on 8 October 1944, he was admitted to British General Hospital, Brussels. Returning to the Defence Platoon, 71st Infantry Brigade, he was transferred to the 1st Battalion, Norfolk Regiment, in September 1945 and was discharged in July 1946.

Recalled to the Colours Elsby was posted to the Gloucestershire Regiment in September 1950, and proceeded to Japan in October 1950 as part of a Reinforcement Holding Unit. As a result of the losses suffered by the Royal Ulster Rifles at the Happy Valley action on 3-4 January 1951, in which they suffered over 200 casualties, Elsby was transferred to this unit, and served with the 1st Battalion, R.U.R. in Korea from 10 January 1951. He saw action with them at the Battle of Imjin River in April 1951, before leaving Korea with other reservists in September 1951 and was discharged on 21 November of that year. Subsequently employed as a driver at the Royal Ordnance Factory, he died in Crewe on 2 September 1990.

Sold with copied research, including copied Birth, Marriage, and Death Certificates.