A Collection of Medals to Second World War Casualties

Three: Private R. Head, Yorkshire Regiment, killed in action at Mersa Matruh, 29 June 1942

1939-45 Star; Africa Star; War Medal 1939-45, with named Army Council enclosure, in card box of issue, addressed to ‘... Head, 5 Peaton Street, North Ormesby, Middlesborough’, extremely fine (3) £70-90

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, A Collection of Medals to Second World War Casualties.

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Richard Head served with the 7th Battalion, Green Howards (Yorkshire Regiment) during the Second World War, and was killed in action during the fierce fighting during the retreat and defensive action at Mersa Matruh, North Africa, on 29 June 1942, aged 25. On this date Rommel started a drive from Mersa Matruh towards El Alamein. Many of the soldiers were worn down by two years of constant strain and combat and in the months running up to this point fierce fighting had taken place. The 50th Division as a whole (of which the 7th Green Howards were part) suffered over 9,000 casualties in the two months’ fighting. Head is buried in El Alamein War Cemetery, Egypt.