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A poignant medals & ephemera grouping to a Middlesex Regiment sergeant Frank Dollin of the 1/7th Machine Gun battalion killed by a sniper in the Reichswald forest in February 1945. This grouping comprises the following : 1. Dollins Medal group - Defence medal, War medal, France & Germany Star & 1939-45 Star. 2. Birth Certificate dated 1919. 3. Regular Forces Registration Card dated 25 Jan 1939 4. A Christmas Wishes & New Year Telegram To His Mother Mrs A.Dollin. 5. A 9th January 1947 dated letter from the War Office to Mr A.Dollin informing him of sons burial place at battlefield grave in the Reichswald , Germany 8 miles South West of Cleve. 6. A 25th July 1947 dated letter informing Mr A.Dollin that his son has now been moved from the previous temporary grave & is now buried at the permanently maintained Reichswald Forest British Cemetery . 7. A family member handwritten piece of paper with grave details . 8. Two embroidered Middlesex regiment cloth shoulder titles , one heavily moth eaten. 9. A large sized coloured photograph of him in SD uniform . 10. A postcard photograph of him in in army shirt addressed at rear to Mrs Dollin. 11. A large photograph of what appears to be a Training Course where he can be seen middle row second from right with sergeant stripes. . 12. A photograph of his grave at the Reichswald Forest cemetery . 13. A photograph of the town Roll of Honour board for Bowes & Arnos on which he appears. 14. Middlesex Regiment cap badge. Below is an account of the action in which he was killed : 9-13 February 1945 at GENNEP 9 February O5:00 hrs Massive fire opened by all arms on enemy positions included were both 1st and 1/7 Middlesex Regiment Machine Gun Battalions lined up together. Their 72 Vickers guns fired 7200,000 round of ammunition. Advancing later with 5 Black Watch there was a scene of devastation with enemy dead everywhere. After entering the REICHWALD near GRAFWEGEN a patrol of 3 Volunteers from each platoon (9 men) of 'C' Company 1/7 Middlesex Regiment with 2 Vickers Guns in carriers turned off to recce positions for 'C' Company to deny the enemy using the Mook-Gennep Road. Driving down a track they came under heavy enemy Spandau, mortar and anti-tank fire. Dismounting they then proceeded carrying their Vickers on their tripods. One gun firing to cover the other alternatively and in rushes of about 100 yards. At this stage help was requested from 4 tanks, these fired some Bessa and Shrapnel shells but were reluctant to enter the woods because of the panzerfaust fire and we were too few to protect them. The Vickers M.G., one manned by Sgt. Dollin and Sgt. Haward and the other, by Corporal Sleeth D.C.M. (I forget the other N.C.O) had now been halted by 4 enemy pill boxes about 200 yards in front. Sgts Dollin and Haward then got 100 yards on the flank. Sgt. Dollin was shot in the head by a sniper and fell, Sgt. Haward went to his help but found him dead. A spandau opened fire tearing through Sgt. Haward's jacket but somehow not wounding him, he managed to take the Vickers gun to the rear, together with his remaining men they joined a company of infantry and again attacked these enemy positions. After further casualties the infantry were called to rejoin the main attack, Major Pearson MC. 'C' Company commander decided not to continue. This enemy strongpoint was captured that night, it had been held by 40 of the enemy. Of the nine members of 1/7 Middlesex Regiment taking part 2 had been killed and 2 had been wounded. .
Code: 9817
On Hold
A rare french infantry M1884 kepi with numeral '1' of the 1st Infantry Regiment . The M1884 kepi was the form of headdress worn by French troops at the outset of the First World War & was not made obsolete until introduction of the horizon blue uniform that came into general service in 1915. The 1884 kepi was standard throughout the French army, differing only in the colour that defined the arm of service. Infantry regiments were further identified by the red numbers attached to the front of the cap. This wonderful example has all the hallmarks of a private purchase piece with a full leather interior lining over the linen, double dark blue braid & higher quality leather chinstrap originally intended more for best dress rather than field wear. The '1' numeral to the front is quite clearly 100% originally period sewn as is evidenced by the buildup of dirt around it & the wear & weathering correlation to the band beneath it. The whole Kepi has remained remarkably intact with the fine red cloth showing only minimal wear to the nap of the cloth around the top edge & a minimal amount of surface only tracking to top. A fabulous piece of French infantry history as was being worn at the early battles of 1914. The French 1st Infantry Regiment is one of the oldest regiments in French active service & has battle honours for Guise-St.Quentin 1914 , Verdun-L'Yser 1916-17 & The Somme 1916 .
Code: 9800
850.00 GBP
A near mint condition 1914 pattern bayonet frog complete with helve strap. This fabulous example is still in its chestnut brown colour with very supple leather & all stitching & rivets intact. Maker marked to reverse to ' 'J.,TATE & Son, BOLTON ' with an out of service inverted broad arrow mark to top.
Code: 9818
A good WW2 German infantry straight entrenching tool/shovel in its original leather carrier. This set is an iconic item carried by the German WW2 infantry soldier. The leather & prestoff carrier is in good used condition with no damage & the shovel is correct German issue with no damage or unsightly pitting. Shovel still retains its original finish to the wood handle which left the factory with a slight varnish to prevent blistering when in prolonged use. Many examples offered today were painted green when used postwar by the Norwegians however this piece is untouched from the end of WW2. Some general age & wear to the metal adds to its originality. A combat piece & perfect to complete your mannequin !
Code: 9809
295.00 GBP
A beautiful brown leather luftwaffe marked K98 bayonet frog with 1938 dated crisp maker mark to rear. Maker & date reads ' Fried.Schafer , Ulm/Do 1938 ' . Luftwaffe unit markings read ' Fl.Ers.Abt.32 L.B.A. (S) '. In superb condition.
Code: 9812
95.00 GBP
A German army belt & buckle kept by a British serviceman with cap badges mounted to the leather. The steel buckle is a ' CTD1941' marked example for the firm CT Dicke in 1941 & still has its leather 1941 dated tab intact. The following allied badges are affixed : 1. 2 X South African technical service corps badges 2. Bedfordshire & Hertfordshire regiment plastic economy badge 3. Corps Military Police badge 4. Pioneer economy Badge 5. Canadian Infantry Corps Badge 6. Royal Engineers badge 7. 2 X Kriegsmarine stars 8. Seaforth Highlanders badge 9. Royal Army Ordnance Corps economy badge 10. Cameron Highlanders badge 11. REME economy badge 12. Rifle Brigade badge 13. Royal Armoured Corps plastic economy badge 14. RAMC badge Belt leather date can just be made out as 1942.
Code: 9814
Lovely example with maker marking to rear ' A.WUNDERLICH BERLIN S.W. ' . Has name of a British soldier faintly scratched to rear 'JACKSON' .
Code: 9813
A very clean WW1 M15 Adrian helmet with flaming grenade badge to front for infantry . This helmet has a very high proportion of its original earlier light blue colour to shell which would date the production of this helmet to the 1915/16 period. The RF embossed (Republique Francais) badge to front is firmly in place with original chinstrap intact. Interior has the second model multi part liner which was introduced as of 1916 to save on leather. A very nice medium sized example.
Code: 9811
1937 pattern utility pouch set used in addition to the normal basic pouches for the carriage of extra ammunition. These were commonly carried by bren gun crews when during an attack a good flow of .303 Bren magazines was required. Neck strap marked 'MECO' & dated 1939 with one pouch 1939 dated & the other 1941 . Comes complete with chest strap & in good used condition for a combat infantryman in the field display.
Code: 9815
75.00 GBP
A good souvenired example of the S98/05 'Butcher' bayonet with 1917 date to back of blade & 'Holler, Solingen' maker. There are some shrapnel spatter marks on one of the wooden grips this often encountered on these iconic German bayonets. Imperial German inspection marks can be seen to pommel with Prussian cypher surmounting '17' to blade back. Almost all of its original factory blueing remains to scabbard with small dent to lower end.
Code: 9808
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