Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Five: Warrant Officer Class 2 A. Whitehead, Royal Artillery

1939-45 Star; Pacific Star; Defence and War Medals; Army L.S.& G.C., E.II.R., 1st issue (842493 W.O. Cl.2, R.A.), mounted as worn, nearly extremely fine (5) £100-140

Archibald Whitehead enlisted into the Royal Artillery at Stirling on 29 November 1934. In the Second World War he was based in Malaya, serving there from 4 December 1939 until his capture by the Japanese with the fall of Singapore on 15 February 1942. He endured captivity until 21 October 1945. Appointed a Warrant Officer in 1952, he was discharged on 28 November 1956 and took up employment with the Civil Service.

Sold with Regular Army Certificate of Service; Buckingham Palace letter addressed to those returning from Japanese captivity, ‘The Queen and I bid you a very warm welcome home. Through all the great trials and sufferings which you have undergone at the hands of the Japanese, you and your comrades have been constantly in our thoughts. We know from the accounts we have already received how heavy those sufferings have been. We know also that these have been endured by you with the highest courage....’ Also with certificate of appointment to the rank of Warrant Officer; seven group photographs and papers relating to the recipient’s appointment to the Civil Service.