{"title":"Special Interest Medals \u0026 Other Notable Items","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003eThese special interest medals \u0026amp; other items have been selected because they possess an unusual, historically significant, or particularly interesting backstory. They may include medals connected with notable actions, aviation service, unusual units, or recipients whose stories stand out beyond the normal course of service, or items that are simply rare, out of the ordinary, and worthy of specific mention.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"ww1-british-war-medal-alfred-george-walker-mercantile-fleet-auxiliary-mfa-believed-to-be-a-survivor-of-rms-hms-alcantara","title":"WW1 British War Medal - ALFRED GEORGE WALKER - Mercantile Fleet Auxiliary (MFA) – Believed to be a survivor of RMS \/ HMS ALCANTARA","description":"\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eReference: MM-MED-0005\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eYou are looking at a very interesting but unfortunately single British War Medal inscribed ‘A.G.WALKER. BUTCHER. M.F.A.’.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eThe medal was awarded to ALFRED GEORGE WALKER who was a merchant seaman serving with the ‘Mercantile Fleet Auxilliary’ (MFA) during WW1, and is believed to have been a crew member aboard the RMS \/ HMS ALCANTARA, an ‘Armed Merchant Cruiser’ or AMC, that was sunk in 1916 following a close quarter naval battle with the German raider vessel SMS GREIF, a significant naval exchange that was very heavily reported in the news and resulted in Germany having to reconsider its WW1 naval strategy, by suspending the use of surface raiders, especially disguised ships, breaking through allied naval blockades, and concentrating on submarine warfare that was considered less risky.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eALFRED, the son of WILLIAM and MARY A WALKER, was born on the 21\u003csup\u003est\u003c\/sup\u003e of May 1882 at Cocking in Sussex, less than 20 miles north-east of Portsmouth, and he was in the Merchant Navy by 1912, with a record of him serving aboard the ‘Kinfauns Castle’ from February to May that year and where he was employed as an assistant butcher.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eALFRED next appears in two crew lists from 1915, his name recorded as A G WALKER, a butcher by rank \/ rating, aged 31 and 32 years, with his place of birth recorded in one of the lists as Sussex, and most notably, he is serving as a crew-member aboard the RMS ALCANTARA, a Royal Mail Steam Packet Company vessel acquired by the Admiralty for war service and converted into the role of ‘Armed Merchant Cruiser’.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eOn the 29\u003csup\u003eth\u003c\/sup\u003e of February 1916, being aware of a German commerce raider vessel being active in the Atlantic, the ALCANTARA spotted smoke rising from a nearby ship and went to investigate, eventually closing in on a steamer called the RENA that was displaying Norwegian colours. The RENA was in fact the converted German tramp steamer the SMS GREIF, travelling under a false flag, and when the ALCANTARA got to within 1000 yards, the German ship revealed its true colours and its concealed guns and opened fire, with the ALCANTARA returning fire and the two vessels entering into a close quarter battle with each other, during which both ships sustained heavy damage, with the ALCANTARA also being struck by torpedo, and as a result of the damage sustained, both crews abandoned ship and both ships eventually sank.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eHeavy losses were sustained by both sides during the battle. SMS GREIF had a complement of around 360 men, of which around 120 were killed and 220 rescued, and the ALCANTARA lost around 69 (72) of its crew, although the true number of casualties differs depending upon what website you visit.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eThe Captain of the ALCANTARA, although initially criticised for taking his vessel too close to the German ship without establishing its identity, was subsequently awarded the Distinguished Service Order for his role in the battle, with at least two other crew members receiving bravery awards.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eUnfortunately, the names of those who were rescued from the ALCANTARA are not recorded in a formal list, so ALFRED being a member of the ship’s crew on the 29\u003csup\u003eth\u003c\/sup\u003e of February 1916 is based on his appearance in the ALCANTARA crew lists of 1915, but that said, other crew members who were involved in food preparation or employed in associated roles, cooks, chefs, bakers, scullions etc, who also appeared alongside ALFRED WALKER in the 1915 crew lists, four are recorded as casualties of the 1916 naval battle, R FIELDER (Baker), A HARPER (Assistant baker) and ROBERT WILLIAMS (3\u003csup\u003erd\u003c\/sup\u003e cook) were killed, and FRANCOIS DESJARDIN (Chef) was slightly wounded, and there were other crew members in other trades who also served aboard the ALCANTARA in 1915 and were also killed serving aboard her in 1916, so it is likely ALFRED was a member of the ship’s crew during the battle, with nothing to suggest otherwise, such as his appearance on another ship.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eTo summarise ALFRED’S appearances in the 1915 crew lists, he appears twice, one, with the crew list dated the 16\u003csup\u003eth\u003c\/sup\u003e of January to the 7\u003csup\u003eth\u003c\/sup\u003e of March 1915, in which his age is recorded as 31 and his place of birth Sussex, and the other crew list dated 1915 only, with no specific dates, and in which ALFRED is simply recorded as 32 year old. ALFRED was born on the 21\u003csup\u003est\u003c\/sup\u003e of May 1882, so he would have been 32 years old up to the 20\u003csup\u003eth\u003c\/sup\u003e of May 1915.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #ee0000;\"\u003e*****NOTE – This medal is being offered for sale in the sellers belief that ALFRED GEORGE WALKER was a crew member aboard the ALCANTARA during the battle with SMS GREIF on the 29\u003csup\u003eth\u003c\/sup\u003e of February 1916, and potential buyers should take into account the lack of a definitive survivor list or other record confirming has attendance on the ship at the time in question.***** \u003cspan style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #ee0000;\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: normal;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #ee0000;\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: normal;\"\u003eSELLER NOTE = Supporting documentation obtained and \/ or created during my research into this medal will be provided.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: normal;\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: normal;\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"center\" style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: black; mso-themecolor: text1;\"\u003ePostage\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: black; mso-themecolor: text1;\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: black; mso-themecolor: text1;\"\u003ePostage within the United Kingdom is \u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: normal;\"\u003e£4.85\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e via Royal Mail Tracked 48 with signature.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: black; mso-themecolor: text1;\"\u003eInternational postage is charged at a \u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: normal;\"\u003eflat rate of £14.95\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e using a tracked service. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: black; mso-themecolor: text1;\"\u003eIf the actual postage cost within the UK or to the destination country is lower than the amount charged, \u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: normal;\"\u003eany overpayment will be refunded after dispatch\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Maddox Medals \u0026 Militaria ","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54052374544730,"sku":null,"price":120.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1013\/7180\/6042\/files\/IMG_0919.jpg?v=1776955308"},{"product_id":"very-rare-victorian-era-father-son-military-archive-5x-original-documents-3x-photographs-relating-to-joseph-rice-10th-regiment-of-foot-north-lincolnshire-indian-mutiny-1857-in-action-at-lucknow-joseph-henry-rice-18th-hussars","title":"Very rare Victorian era father \u0026 son military archive – 5x original documents + 3x photographs relating to JOSEPH RICE 10th Regiment of Foot (North Lincolnshire - Indian Mutiny 1857 - in action at Lucknow) \u0026 JOSEPH HENRY RICE 18th Hussars.","description":"\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eMM-MIL-0001\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eYou are looking at a very rare collection of original military documents and carte-de-visit photographs to father and son, JOSEPH RICE and JOSEPH HENRY RICE.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eThe items are:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst\" style=\"text-indent: -18pt;\"\u003e\n\u003cspan style=\"font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"mso-list: Ignore;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font: 7.0pt 'Times New Roman';\"\u003e          \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c!--[endif]--\u003eParchment Certificate of Discharge dated 1865 – For Private 3274 JOSEPH RICE of the 1\u003csup\u003est\u003c\/sup\u003e Battalion the 10\u003csup\u003eth\u003c\/sup\u003e Regiment of Foot (North Lincolnshire).\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle\" style=\"text-indent: -18pt;\"\u003e\n\u003cspan style=\"font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"mso-list: Ignore;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font: 7.0pt 'Times New Roman';\"\u003e          \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c!--[endif]--\u003eGrand Lodge of India certificate dated 1892 – For Brother RICE.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle\" style=\"text-indent: -18pt;\"\u003e\n\u003cspan style=\"font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"mso-list: Ignore;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font: 7.0pt 'Times New Roman';\"\u003e           \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c!--[endif]--\u003eI.O.G.T. Grand Lodge of India Past Representative’s Certificate dated 1893 – For Brother J H RICE.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle\" style=\"text-indent: -18pt;\"\u003e\n\u003cspan style=\"font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"mso-list: Ignore;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font: 7.0pt 'Times New Roman';\"\u003e           \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c!--[endif]--\u003eParchment Certificate of Discharge dated 1898 – For Private 3007 JOSEPH HENRY RICE of the 18\u003csup\u003eth\u003c\/sup\u003e Regiment of Hussars.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle\" style=\"text-indent: -18pt;\"\u003e\n\u003cspan style=\"font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"mso-list: Ignore;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font: 7.0pt 'Times New Roman';\"\u003e           \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c!--[endif]--\u003eParchment Certificate of Character – For Private 3007 JOSEPH HENRY RICE of the 18\u003csup\u003eth\u003c\/sup\u003e Regiment of Hussars. The document was handwritten at Umballa in India and is dated the 21\u003csup\u003est\u003c\/sup\u003e of December 1893, and it was officially stamped, at the discharge depot in Gosport, on the 20\u003csup\u003eth\u003c\/sup\u003e of March 1895.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"MsoListParagraphCxSpLast\" style=\"text-indent: -18pt;\"\u003e\n\u003cspan style=\"font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"mso-list: Ignore;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font: 7.0pt 'Times New Roman';\"\u003e          \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c!--[endif]--\u003e3 x carte-de-visit photographs – Photograph by ‘Lau Bro’s – Amballa and Kasauli’, and showing JOSEPH HENRY RICE at different stages in his army service whilst in India.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eJOSEPH RICE (father)\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eJOSEPH RICE, service number 3274, enlisted into the 10\u003csup\u003eth\u003c\/sup\u003e (North Lincolnshire) Regiment of Foot at Liverpool on the 8\u003csup\u003eth\u003c\/sup\u003e of June 1855, at the age of 19 years.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eAccording to his ‘Certificate of Service (Discharge)’ document, his conduct in the army was ‘good’, and he was in possession of the Indian Mutiny Medal with clasp ‘Lucknow’ and a ‘Good Conduct Badge’. \u003cspan style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eJOSEPH was serving with the 1\u003csup\u003est\u003c\/sup\u003e Battalion of the 10\u003csup\u003eth\u003c\/sup\u003e Regiment during the Indian Mutiny (1857-59), and they were involved in the Siege of Arrah (1857) and Lucknow (1858).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eHe is listed in the handwritten ‘Roll of Officers and Men of the 1\u003csup\u003est\u003c\/sup\u003e Battalion of the 10\u003csup\u003eth\u003c\/sup\u003e Regiment, who have been employed in the suppression of the Mutiny in India’, with YES recorded in the column saying ‘if engaged in the operations against Lucknow from 2 to 16 March 1858’, and there is a further not saying “at Jugdespore - advance to Lucknow with Brig Gen’l FRANKS”....This entry places him directly at the capture of Lucknow, an event to which Private DENIS DEMPSEY of the Regiment was awarded the Victoria Cross.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: black; mso-themecolor: text1;\"\u003eAfter the Indian Mutiny ended in 1859, JOSEPH returned to England, it has to be assumed he deployed with his Regiment to South Africa (1859-1862) and was on garrison duty at Cape Town (1863-1865). \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: black; mso-themecolor: text1;\"\u003eHe was discharged from the army at Chatham in the June of 1865, having served for ten years.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: black; mso-themecolor: text1;\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: black; mso-themecolor: text1;\"\u003eJOSEPH HENRY RICE (son)\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: black; mso-themecolor: text1;\"\u003eJOSEPH RICE Junior attested into the 18\u003csup\u003eth\u003c\/sup\u003e Hussars, at London, on the 3\u003csup\u003erd\u003c\/sup\u003e of May 1886, at the age of 19 years.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: black; mso-themecolor: text1;\"\u003eHe serviced in India from the 19\u003csup\u003eth\u003c\/sup\u003e of November 1889 (landed 18\u003csup\u003eth\u003c\/sup\u003e December) to the 5\u003csup\u003eth\u003c\/sup\u003e of February 1894, a period of just over four years.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: black; mso-themecolor: text1;\"\u003eAccording to the Indian Masonic Lodge documentation, JOSEPH, of St Paul’s Lodge, number 19, was initiated into the Order of Good Templars in March 1892, received the Degree of Fidelity in April 1892, and became a Member of the Grand Lodge of India in November that same year, and he served as a member of the lodge at Agra, until at least the 27\u003csup\u003eth\u003c\/sup\u003e of June 1893, the date provided for him on his ‘Past Representative’s Certificate’. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: black; mso-themecolor: text1;\"\u003eJOSEPH served for twelve years in the army, over eight years in the regular army, over three in the reserves, and four years of his regular service were spent overseas.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: black; mso-themecolor: text1;\"\u003eHe did not receive any war or service medals during this time and was discharged in May 1898. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: black; mso-themecolor: text1;\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: black; mso-themecolor: text1;\"\u003ePotted history of JOSEPH RICE and JOSEPH HENRY RICE\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eThe RICE family history outside of their military service has been difficult to establish, but the following is believed to be the best assessment that can be provided.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eJOSEPH RICE Senior was born at Winchester in Hampshire c1836\/37. He is believed to be the JOSEPH RICE, son of WILIAM and ANN RICE, who was baptised at Winchester on the 30\u003csup\u003eth\u003c\/sup\u003e of June 1837.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eAccepting he is WILLIAM and ANN’S son, then the family appear in the 1841 Census at Winchester, with WILLIAM’S profession recorded as police constable, and this in itself is a remarkable thing, because this occupation was extremely rare, Winchester City Police was the first place in Hampshire to create a police contingent, and WILLIAM may have been one of just a handful of men acting in that role, in fact the Hampshire County Constabulary had less than 100 constables serving the whole county by 1839\/40.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eJOSEPH may have lost his parents early, and he is likely to be the JOSEPH RICE who appears in the 1851 Census at St Pancras in London.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: black; mso-themecolor: text1;\"\u003eJOSEPH is also believed to have married a JANE TIPPETT, but no marriage record can be found, although we know she was born c1835 in the St Columb area of Cornwall, and there is a JANE TIPPETT who can be seen in the historical records for the Cornwall area who would match this person. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: black; mso-themecolor: text1;\"\u003eThe couple next appear in the 1881 Census living in the Finsbury area of London, with JOSEPH employed as a house steward, but he also appears to be JOSEPH RICE whose death was registered at Islington in the September quarter of 1885, at the age of 49 years (column 1b page 158), and JANE is believed to have died in 1887 at the age of 52 (Registered Marylebone, December quarter, volume 1a page 439). \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: black; mso-themecolor: text1;\"\u003eJOSEPH HENRY, the son of JOSEPH RICE Senior, was born at Bishopsgate in London on the 9\u003csup\u003eth\u003c\/sup\u003e of February 1867, and he was admitted to St Matthew’s School in Islington in 1877, the family home at the time recorded as 20 Sudeley Street.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eJOSEPH HENRY RICE was born c1866\/67 with his birth registered at St Pancras (Registered January 1867, mother surname TIPPETT, volume 1b page 28), but his army service documents suggest he was born at Bishopsgate, a completely different area of London. He also appears alongside his parents in the 1871 and 1881 Census records, with his place of birth recorded as St Pancras and Hampstead respectively.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eOn the 5\u003csup\u003eth\u003c\/sup\u003e of April 1896, JOSEPH married PHOEBE BEEDELL in the Emmanuel Church in Lambeth, and they had children. He was a butcher by profession, that matches the occupation recorded for him in one of the original military documents provided, and in later census records he is described as a journeyman or travelling butcher, although in 1921 he was a porter at Smithfield Market.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eJOSEPH HENRY died on the 16\u003csup\u003eth\u003c\/sup\u003e of May 1925.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin-bottom: 0cm;\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin-bottom: 0cm;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: 'Aptos',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; color: black;\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin-bottom: 0cm;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: 'Aptos',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; color: black;\"\u003eSELLER NOTE = Supporting documentation obtained and \/ or created during my research into this medal will be provided.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"center\" style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: 'Aptos',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; color: black; mso-themecolor: text1;\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"center\" style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: 'Aptos',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; color: black; mso-themecolor: text1;\"\u003ePostage\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: 'Aptos',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; color: black; mso-themecolor: text1;\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: 'Aptos',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; color: black; mso-themecolor: text1;\"\u003ePostage within the United Kingdom is \u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: 'Aptos',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; font-weight: normal;\"\u003e£4.85\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e via Royal Mail Tracked 48 with signature.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: 'Aptos',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; color: black; mso-themecolor: text1;\"\u003eInternational postage is charged at a \u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: 'Aptos',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; font-weight: normal;\"\u003eflat rate of £14.95\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e using a tracked service. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: 'Aptos',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; color: black; mso-themecolor: text1;\"\u003eIf the actual postage cost within the UK or to the destination country is lower than the amount charged, \u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: 'Aptos',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; font-weight: normal;\"\u003eany overpayment will be refunded after dispatch\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Maddox Medals \u0026 Militaria","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54244111679834,"sku":null,"price":250.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1013\/7180\/6042\/files\/RICEPHOTO1.jpg?v=1780820300"},{"product_id":"mixed-collection-of-medals-other-items-to-arthur-curry-2-10th-bn-middlesex-regiment-wounded-at-gallipoli-wiltshire-special-constabulary-2-x-rare-american-red-cross-certificates-to-his-wife-dorothy-curry-a-volunteer-at-the-donut-dugout-devizes","title":"Mixed collection of medals \u0026 other items to ARTHUR CURRY, 2\/10th Bn Middlesex Regiment (wounded at Gallipoli) \u0026 Wiltshire Special Constabulary, \u0026 2 x rare American Red Cross certificates to his wife DOROTHY CURRY, a volunteer at the ‘DONUT DUGOUT’ Devizes","description":"\u003cp style=\"margin-bottom: 0cm;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: 'Aptos',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; color: black; mso-themecolor: text1;\"\u003eMM-MED-0016\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: black; mso-themecolor: text1;\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: black; mso-themecolor: text1;\"\u003eYou are looking at a mixed but unfortunately incomplete \u003ci\u003e(missing British War \u0026amp; Victory Medal) \u003c\/i\u003ecollection of medals, 4 x in total, and other items relating to ARTHUR CURRY, who served with the Middlesex Regiment during WW1, was seriously wounded at Gallipoli, and had a long and distinguished post-war voluntary service with the Wiltshire Special Constabulary, including police service during WW2, along with two very interesting and rare WW2 ‘American Red Cross’ certificates awarded to his wife DOROTHY, who served as a volunteer at the ‘DONUT DUGOUT’ in Devizes, supporting thousands of United States troops training in the area in preparation for D-Day and the Normandy landings.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: black; mso-themecolor: text1;\"\u003eThis ‘what you see is what you get’ collection looks disjointed and is a bit of a mixed bag, but research has revealed a multi-faceted husband and wife story that spans both world wars, and details a dedicated service to the military and the police, and voluntary service supporting foreign troops preparing for one of the most important events in modern world history, making the collection much more interesting than it may seem at first glance, and a fascinating insight into military and police service life as well as the social history surrounding civilians who volunteered their services to support the war effort during WW2.\u003cspan style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\"\u003e  \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: black; mso-themecolor: text1;\"\u003eThe collection consists of:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst\" style=\"text-indent: -18pt;\"\u003e\n\u003cspan style=\"font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; color: black; mso-themecolor: text1;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"mso-list: Ignore;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font: 7.0pt 'Times New Roman';\"\u003e       \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c!--[endif]--\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: black; mso-themecolor: text1;\"\u003e1914-15 Star inscribed ‘2817 PTE. A.C.CURRY. MIDD’X R.’\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle\" style=\"text-indent: -18pt;\"\u003e\n\u003cspan style=\"font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; color: black; mso-themecolor: text1;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"mso-list: Ignore;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font: 7.0pt 'Times New Roman';\"\u003e       \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c!--[endif]--\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: black; mso-themecolor: text1;\"\u003eSilver War Badge inscribed ‘476620’ – awarded to ARTHUR CURRY.\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle\" style=\"text-indent: -18pt;\"\u003e\n\u003cspan style=\"font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; color: black; mso-themecolor: text1;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"mso-list: Ignore;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font: 7.0pt 'Times New Roman';\"\u003e       \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c!--[endif]--\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: black; mso-themecolor: text1;\"\u003eSpecial Constabulary Medal inscribed ‘ARTHUR C CURRY’ – The medal is missing its ribbon.\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle\" style=\"text-indent: -18pt;\"\u003e\n\u003cspan style=\"font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; color: black; mso-themecolor: text1;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"mso-list: Ignore;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font: 7.0pt 'Times New Roman';\"\u003e       \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c!--[endif]--\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: black; mso-themecolor: text1;\"\u003eMedal Ribbon bar ‘Long Service 1944’ – Bar is loose so not attached to medal.\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle\" style=\"text-indent: -18pt;\"\u003e\n\u003cspan style=\"font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; color: black; mso-themecolor: text1;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"mso-list: Ignore;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font: 7.0pt 'Times New Roman';\"\u003e       \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c!--[endif]--\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: black; mso-themecolor: text1;\"\u003eDefence Medal 1939-1945.\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle\" style=\"text-indent: -18pt;\"\u003e\n\u003cspan style=\"font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; color: black; mso-themecolor: text1;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"mso-list: Ignore;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font: 7.0pt 'Times New Roman';\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: Symbol;\"\u003e  \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font: 7.0pt 'Times New Roman';\"\u003e    \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: black; mso-themecolor: text1;\"\u003e1953 Queen’s Coronation Medal.\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle\" style=\"text-indent: -18pt;\"\u003e\n\u003cspan style=\"font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; color: black; mso-themecolor: text1;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"mso-list: Ignore;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font: 7.0pt 'Times New Roman';\"\u003e       \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c!--[endif]--\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: black; mso-themecolor: text1;\"\u003eWiltshire Special Constabulary badge with King’s Crown.\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle\" style=\"text-indent: -18pt;\"\u003e\n\u003cspan style=\"font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; color: black; mso-themecolor: text1;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"mso-list: Ignore;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font: 7.0pt 'Times New Roman';\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: Symbol;\"\u003e   \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font: 7.0pt 'Times New Roman';\"\u003e   \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c!--[endif]--\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: black; mso-themecolor: text1;\"\u003eBritish Legion badge inscribed ‘246629’, ‘RD 684409’, ‘BIRMINGHAM MEDAL CO’.\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle\" style=\"text-indent: -18pt;\"\u003e\n\u003cspan style=\"font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; color: black; mso-themecolor: text1;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"mso-list: Ignore;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font: 7.0pt 'Times New Roman';\"\u003e       \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c!--[endif]--\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: black; mso-themecolor: text1;\"\u003eMedal ribbon bar - WW1 trio, plus ‘Defence Medal’.\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle\" style=\"text-indent: -18pt;\"\u003e\n\u003cspan style=\"font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; color: black; mso-themecolor: text1;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"mso-list: Ignore;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font: 7.0pt 'Times New Roman';\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: Symbol;\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font: 7.0pt 'Times New Roman';\"\u003e     \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: black; mso-themecolor: text1;\"\u003eMedal ribbon bar - Special Constabulary Long Service Medal with long service 3 x rosettes attached, 1953 Queen’s Coronation Medal.\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle\" style=\"text-indent: -18pt;\"\u003e\n\u003cspan style=\"font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; color: black; mso-themecolor: text1;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"mso-list: Ignore;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font: 7.0pt 'Times New Roman';\"\u003e       \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: black; mso-themecolor: text1;\"\u003eMedal ribbon bar single, 1939-1945 War Medal (WW2).\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle\" style=\"text-indent: -18pt;\"\u003e\n\u003cspan style=\"font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; color: black; mso-themecolor: text1;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"mso-list: Ignore;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font: 7.0pt 'Times New Roman';\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: Symbol;\"\u003e   \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font: 7.0pt 'Times New Roman';\"\u003e  \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: black; mso-themecolor: text1;\"\u003e‘AMERICAN RED CROSS Certificates of Devoted Service’, awarded to Mrs DOROTHY CURRY‘ – ARC Devizes Wiltshire dated 27\u003csup\u003eth\u003c\/sup\u003e December 1944.\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle\" style=\"text-indent: -18pt;\"\u003e\n\u003cspan style=\"font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; color: black; mso-themecolor: text1;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"mso-list: Ignore;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font: 7.0pt 'Times New Roman';\"\u003e       \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: black; mso-themecolor: text1;\"\u003e‘AMERICAN RED CROSS Certificates of Devoted Service’, awarded to Mrs DOROTHY CURRY – Donut Dugout Devizes 5\u003csup\u003eth\u003c\/sup\u003e July 1945.\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"MsoListParagraphCxSpLast\" style=\"text-indent: -18pt;\"\u003e\n\u003cspan style=\"font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; color: black; mso-themecolor: text1;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"mso-list: Ignore;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font: 7.0pt 'Times New Roman';\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: Symbol;\"\u003e  \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font: 7.0pt 'Times New Roman';\"\u003e    \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: black; mso-themecolor: text1;\"\u003eLoose British War Medal ribbon.\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: black; mso-themecolor: text1;\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003cu\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: black; mso-themecolor: text1;\"\u003eWW1 Service \u0026amp; Gallipoli\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: black; mso-themecolor: text1;\"\u003eOn the 22\u003csup\u003end\u003c\/sup\u003e of October 1914, ARTHUR enlisted into the 2\/10\u003csup\u003eth\u003c\/sup\u003e (Reserve) Battalion (Duke of Cambridge’s Own) the Middlesex Regiment, service number 2817, with his home address at the time recorded as The Ridge, High Road, Wealdstone.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: black; mso-themecolor: text1;\"\u003eAccording to his medal record, he first entered the Balkans (Gallipoli) theatre of war on the 18\u003csup\u003eth\u003c\/sup\u003e of July 1915, although the ‘The Long, Long Trail’ suggests that was the date the battalion sailed from Devonport, and, travelling via Imbros in Turkey, they continued on to Gallipoli where they landed as Suvla Bay at midnight on the 8\u003csup\u003eth\u003c\/sup\u003e\/9\u003csup\u003eth\u003c\/sup\u003e of August.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: black; mso-themecolor: text1;\"\u003eAccording to the available military records, on the 10\u003csup\u003eth\u003c\/sup\u003e of August 1915, so the day after his battalion landed on the beaches, ARTHUR sustained a gunshot wound to his right shoulder, and he was recorded in the War Office Casualty List dated the 15\u003csup\u003eth\u003c\/sup\u003e of September as having been wounded and entitled to wear a ‘Wound Stripe’, and he was awarded the Silver War Badge (serial number 476620) that is within this collection in recognition of his injury. \u003cspan style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: black; mso-themecolor: text1;\"\u003eThere is also an entry in the Harrow Observer Newspaper,\u003cspan style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003edated the 17\u003csup\u003eth\u003c\/sup\u003e of September 1915, to the effect that Private ARTHUR CYRIL CURRY of the 2\/10\u003csup\u003eth\u003c\/sup\u003e Battalion the Middlesex Regiment had been wounded in the Dardanelles, having sustained a gunshot through the right shoulder shortly after landing on the Peninsula, and he was being treated at the Citadel Military Hospital in Cairo. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: black; mso-themecolor: text1;\"\u003eARTHUR was back in England on the 9\u003csup\u003eth\u003c\/sup\u003e of October 1915, so prior to the 10\u003csup\u003eth\u003c\/sup\u003e Battalion’s evacuation from Gallipoli that took place in the December of 1915. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: black; mso-themecolor: text1;\"\u003eFollowing his service in the Balkans, ARTHUR was posted to the Eastern Command Depot (6\u003csup\u003eth\u003c\/sup\u003e May 1916), a military rehabilitation and convalescent camp, he was then transferred to the 607\u003csup\u003eth\u003c\/sup\u003e Home Service Employment Company (6\u003csup\u003eth\u003c\/sup\u003e July 1917), and then compulsorily transferred to the Royal Defence Corps (service number 75876) on the 28\u003csup\u003eth\u003c\/sup\u003e of June 1918, with a later document suggesting he was in the 51\u003csup\u003est\u003c\/sup\u003e Company. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: black; mso-themecolor: text1;\"\u003eARTHUR married DOROTHY LOUISE PUTTICK on the 27\u003csup\u003eth\u003c\/sup\u003e of June 1918, the day before his compulsory transfer to the RDC, and in the marriage record he is described as a private soldier with the 106\u003csup\u003eth\u003c\/sup\u003e Employment Company of the Labour Corps, with his address provided as Eastern Command Depot, Kingston-on-Sea. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003cu\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: black; mso-themecolor: text1;\"\u003eWiltshire Special Constabulary\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: black; mso-themecolor: text1;\"\u003eAfter leaving the army, ARTHUR went on to join the Wiltshire Special Constabulary, and it appears he served for many years, being awarded the King GEORGE VI Special Constabulary Long Service Medal with ‘Ind Imp’ legend denoting issue between 1937 and 1948, and on the Special Constabulary LS Medal ribbon bar that is within this collection, the ribbon has 3 x rosettes attached, denoting extra periods of service, with a loose ‘Long Service 1944’ bar also within the collection...And it is his long service that probably led to him being one of only 18 x serving officers (regular \u0026amp; Special Constabulary) within the Wiltshire Constabulary nominated for the award of the 1953 Queen’s Coronation Medal. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: black; mso-themecolor: text1;\"\u003eAs to when he joined the Special Constabulary, this is not clear, because the issue of rosettes for extra service took into account service during WW2, and the time served during the conflict was tripled due to the nature of the work constables were involved in, however, with King GEORGE VI having started his reign in December 1936, then the issue of the medal with this sovereign’s head would have been 1937 onwards, and that would mean ARTHUR could not have joined the Specials until 1928 at the very earliest, to have served 9 x years making him eligible for the award of the medal in 1937, so he joined at some point from 1928, and with other criteria taken into account, probably at some point from 1928-1930, although this time period has not been confirmed beyond doubt.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: black; mso-themecolor: text1;\"\u003eThe 1953 Queen’s Coronation Medal is interesting because those for sale are very often unattributed, in that the recipient is unknown. As for numbers and criteria, only around 129,000 -138,000 were awarded to people from various walks of public service life, and where the police and emergency services were concerned, it was awarded to prominent members who demonstrated significant contribution to their communities, a great accolade for ARTHUR, bearing in mind he was one of only 18 x Wiltshire officers who were nominated for the award across of the whole of the Wiltshire Constabulary, those receiving it being the Chief Constable, Assistant Chief Constable, 5 x Superintendents, 2 x Inspectors, 4 x Sergeants, 1 x Detective Constable, 1 x Special Inspector, 2 x Special Sergeants (including ARTHUR) and 1 x Special Constable.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: black; mso-themecolor: text1;\"\u003eHe would have been just over 60 years old in 1953 when he received the Queen’s Coronation Medal and was still serving with the Special Constabulary at the time.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003cu\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: black; mso-themecolor: text1;\"\u003eDOROTHY CURRY’S \u0026amp; the ‘American Red Cross – DONUT DUGOUT’\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: black; mso-themecolor: text1;\"\u003eIn addition to the items relating to ARTHUR CURRY and his army and Special Constabulary career, the collection also includes two certificates that were awarded by the ‘American Red Cross’ (ARC) to his wife DOROTHY CURRY, acknowledging and praising her for the work she had done.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"MsoListParagraph\" style=\"text-indent: -18pt; line-height: normal;\"\u003e\n\u003cspan style=\"font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; color: black; mso-themecolor: text1;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"mso-list: Ignore;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font: 7.0pt 'Times New Roman';\"\u003e          \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c!--[endif]--\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: black; mso-themecolor: text1;\"\u003eThe first, dated the 27\u003csup\u003eth\u003c\/sup\u003e of December 1944, recognised over 150 x hours of faithful and loyal VOLUNTEER service to the US armed forces, and was signed by the director of the ARC (American Red Cross) with the address Devizes, Wiltshire recorded.\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\n\u003c!--[endif]--\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: black; mso-themecolor: text1;\"\u003eThe second, dated the 5\u003csup\u003eth\u003c\/sup\u003e of July 1945, recognised over 500 x hours of faithful and loyal VOLUNTEER service to the US armed forces, and was signed by the director, with the address ‘DONUT DUGOUT’, Devizes recorded. \u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoListParagraphCxSpLast\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; line-height: normal;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: black; mso-themecolor: text1;\"\u003eThe ‘DONUT DUGOUT’ as it was referred to, was a corrugated Nissan hut situated on the Green in Devizes. It was run by the ‘American Red Cross’ (ARC) as a club and canteen and served donuts and drinks to the US troops stationed in the area, many of whom were in training, on Salisbury Plain etc, in preparation for D-Day. It was designed to provide some comforts of home and boost the morale of\u003cspan style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eUS troops in the build-up to Operation Overlord and their eventual deployment onto the beaches of Normandy, and local woman such as DOROTHY, ‘Donut Dollies’ as they were referred to, volunteered to help, frying literally thousands of donuts to be eaten by the US troops, and these certificates were awarded in recognition of the work they did in supporting the operation. \u003cspan style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoListParagraphCxSpLast\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; line-height: normal;\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoListParagraphCxSpLast\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; line-height: normal;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: black; mso-themecolor: text1;\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: black; mso-themecolor: text1;\"\u003eDevizes was a key location, an official marshalling area for US troops making their way to the south coast and eventual deployment to the beaches along the Normandy coast, and for some of those troops, the ‘DONUT DUGOUT’ would have been one of the last comfortable meeting places they experienced before heading to Europe. \u003cspan style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: black; mso-themecolor: text1;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\"\u003eA\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: black; mso-themecolor: text1;\"\u003eRTHUR CYRIL CURRY was the son of ARTHUR and KATE CURRY, and he was born in 1892, with his birth registered at West Ham (June quarter, volume 41 page 357), although a later historical record suggests he was born on the 7\u003csup\u003eth\u003c\/sup\u003e of June 1893. He married DOROTHY LOUISE PUTTICK (Born 3\u003csup\u003erd\u003c\/sup\u003e July 1895 at Broadwater in Worthing, daughter of WILLIAM EDWARD and JANE PUTTICK) on the 27\u003csup\u003eth\u003c\/sup\u003e of June 1918, and they eventually settled in the Devizes area, and were living at The Bungalow off Bath Road in the town in 1939, at the start of WW2.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eDOROTHY LOUISE CURRY died c1971\/72, with the event registered at Poole in Dorset in the March quarter of 1872 (volume 7c page 358), and ARTHUR died a few years later, in 1975, with the event registered at Poole in the June quarter of that year (volume 23 page 755).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Maddox Medals \u0026 Militaria","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54276048683354,"sku":null,"price":450.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1013\/7180\/6042\/files\/CURRYPHOTO1.jpg?v=1781002023"}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1013\/7180\/6042\/collections\/Medal_Category_-_Special_Interest_Medals_Other_Notable_Items_c6b8c15b-5f93-4801-8e99-262c4cac3a5e.png?v=1776277614","url":"https:\/\/maddoxmedals.co.uk\/collections\/special-interest-medals.oembed","provider":"Maddox Medals \u0026 Militaria ","version":"1.0","type":"link"}