WW2 single medal - Italy Star - awarded to B.O.KILLIAN - South African

Reference: MM-MED-0007

You are looking at a single WW2 Italy Star inscribed ‘282945 B.O. KILIAN.

From the naming on this medal, it appears that it was awarded to a South African soldier, but unfortunately, the recipient has not been identified within the available records.

South African service numbers were allocated in blocks, and 282945 is within the block 279462 to 284461, and this block was allocated to the ‘Youth Training Brigade’.

The ‘Youth Training Brigade’ was officially under the control of the ‘Special Service Battalion’ or SSB, who were raised in 1939 and were responsible for providing basic military training to younger soldiers, in particular those under the age of eighteen years, preparing them for adult service with other units or regiments deployed or ready to be deployed overseas. The SSB went on to see active service itself, in 1941, during the East and North Africa campaigns, and in 1943 they became part of the 11th South African Armoured Brigade, serving in Italy with the 6^th South African Armoured Division.  

Within the Commonwealth War Graves Commission records, the following South African servicemen have been identified from their service numbers, that all start with 282, as follows:

·      282100 Private C J F WOLFAARDT of the Royal Natal Carbineers – died 10^th October 1944

·      282121 Private J W VAN DER WESTHUIZEN of the Royal Natal Carbineers – died 17^th October 1944 aged 18 years

·      282152 Private D A VAN ZYLL of the First City / Cape Town Highlanders - died 16^th April 1945 aged 21

·      282707 Private L T WALLACE of the First City / Cape Town Highlanders - died 16^th April 1945

·      282978 Private C J S VAN DER MERWE of the Witwatersrand Rifles / Regiment de la Rey – died 5^th of January 1945

Although not confirmed, it is likely these men were all originally members of the ‘Youth Training Brigade’ and transferred to other regiments when they had reached an age in which they were considered eligible for service overseas, and as you can see, one soldier, Private VAN DER WESTHUISEN, was only 18 years old when he was killed.

All of these men are commemorated at the Castiglione South African Cemetery in Italy, and this may be an indication that B.O.KILIAN was also serving in or around the same area where these soldiers were when they died.

SELLER NOTE 1 = Supporting documentation obtained and / or created during my research into this medal will be provided.

SELLER NOTE 2 = This medal is not in mint condition as you can see from the photographs provided. 

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