Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Four: Staff Sergeant J. D. Hanlon, Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers, who was Mentioned in Despatches for his services in Italy
1939-45 Star; Italy Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45, with M.I.D. oak leaf, mounted court-style, together with the recipient’s original Mentioned in Despatches Certificate, extremely fine

Three: Craftsman G. E. Pitt, Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers, who was killed in action in Italy on 20 November 1944
1939-45 Star; Italy Star; War Medal 1939-45, with named Army Council enclosure, in card box of issue, addressed to ‘Mrs. F. Pitt, 44 Pamel Road, Northfield, Birmingham’, extremely fine (7) £100-£140

John Desmond Hanlon was born in Salford, Manchester, on 25 October 1917 and attested for the Royal Army Ordnance Corps on 15 December 1939. He served during the Second World War with the British Expeditionary Force from 4 April to 30 May 1940, and was promoted Corporal on 8 June 1941. He transferred to the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers on 1 October 1942, and served with them in Italy from 9 April 1944, being advanced Sergeant on 13 August 1944, and Staff Sergeant on 28 January 1945. For his services during the Second World War in Italy he was Mentioned in Despatches (London Gazette 29 November 1945). He subsequently emigrated to Australia, and claimed his medals in 1956.

Gordon Estcourt Pitt, a native of Birmingham, served with the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers during the Second World War in Italy, and was killed in action on 20 November 1944. He is buried in Meldola War Cemetery, Italy.