Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Six: Lieutenant-Colonel C. A. Debenham, Royal Norfolk Regiment, captured at St. Valery-en-Caux, 12 June 1940

British War and Victory Medals (Capt.), first with corrected initials and first letter of surname; 1939-45 Star; War Medal 1939-45, M.I.D. oak leaf (Lt. Col. C. A. Debenham, R. Norfolk R.) both engraved; Coronation 1937 (Maj. C. A. Debenham); Efficiency Decoration, G.VI.R., 1st issue, Territorial, with Second, Third and Fourth Award Bars (all G.VI.R.), rev. engraved, ‘Lt. Col. C. A. Debenham, 1945’, mounted as worn, sold together with a mounted set of miniature dress medals, slight contact marks, very fine and better (12) £300-350

C. A. Debenham was appointed Lieutenant in the 7th Battalion Northamptonshire Regiment in 1917 and Captain in 1920. In October 1930 he was appointed Major in the 5th Battalion Norfolk Regiment. In the Spring of 1939 the 5th and 7th battalions were combined to form the 7th T.A. battalion with Lieutenant-Colonel Debenham as Commanding Officer. Early in 1940 he took the battalion to France; based at Metz, the unit was attached to the 51st Highland Division. With the German invasion of the Low Countries the bulk of the B.E.F. was forced to retire towards Dunkirk. After the final man had rescued from the beaches, the 51st Division was one of the few British units still to remain in France. Forced back, the Norfolks as part of the Division took part in the fierce fighting at Abbeville. Hoping for evacuation the unit made for the sea at St. Valery-en-Caux. On the 12 June, with no ammunition, no food and no boats in sight, the 51st Division under Major-General Fortune was obliged to surrender. Lieutenant-Colonel Debenham was made a prisoner of war with the bulk of his men and those others of the 51st Division; only 31 men of the 7th Norfolks managed to evade the net and escape to England. He was held for the duration at Oflag 9A/H at Spangenburg bei Kassel. Lieutenant-Colonel Debenham was mentioned in despatches (London Gazette 11 October 1945) ‘for gallant and distinguished service in the field’ (- for services as P.O.W.). Sold with some copied research.