A Collection of Medals to Second World War Casualties

Pair: Private N. Prentice, East Yorkshire Regiment, who died of wounds at de Panne during the retreat to Dunkirk, 31 May 1940

1939-45 Star; War Medal 1939-45, with named Army Council enclosure, in card box of issue, addressed to ‘Mrs. Prentice, 61 Folkstone Street, Bradford’, extremely fine (2) £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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Norman Prentice served during the Second World War as a Private in the 2nd Battalion, East Yorkshire Regiment, and died of wounds received in action on 31 May 1940 during the retreat to Dunkirk.

Prentice was aged 25 at the time of his death. He is buried in de Panne Communal Cemetery, Belgium. His medals were sent to his mother Mrs. Prentice.

De Panne village was the site of the final General Headquarters of the British Expeditionary Force in 1940, and there was a Casualty Clearing Station on the beach, which was also an embarkation beach for the evacuation. From 27 May to 1 June 1940, the Germans strove to prevent the embarkation of the troops by incessant bombing, machine-gunning and shelling. The first German troops reached the village at 2:00 p.m. on 31 May, and after heavy fighting, the commune was completely occupied by the enemy by 9:00 a.m. on 1 June. Given the date of Prentice’s death, and the location of his grave, it is likely that he was involved in the final rearguard action at de Panne.