Orders, Decorations & Medals - British Groups

Lot 2949    SESSION 14 (2.30PM THURSDAY 1ST AUG)    Orders, Decorations & Medals - British Groups

Estimate $6,000
Bid at live.noble.com.au

GROUP OF SIX: 1939-45 Star; Africa Star, - clasp - 8th Army; France and Germany Star; Defence Medal 1939-45; War Medal 1939-45; Efficiency Medal (EIIR without BR.OMN), with Territorial suspender. The first five medals unnamed as issued, 22536219 W.O. Cl. 2. B.F.Cannon. RA on last medal. The named medal impressed. Swing mounted, some contact marks, otherwise very fine.

Together with,^1) Parachute Regiment hat badge (KC) and a collar badge (KC) in nickel; another pair of hat badges (QC) in nickel also a pair of collar badges (QC) in bronze. ^2) Parachute Regiment bullion embroidered hat badge (a few bits of bullion wire missing).^3) Bullion embroidered parachute wings.^4) Octagonal fibre compound dog tag, '5781931 Cannon. R.E/C.E'. ^5) Programme for The Parachute Regiment, Presentation of Colours to the First, Second and Third Battalions by His Majesty The King, 19 July 1950.^6) Book titled, '3rd Battalion The Parachute Regiment 1st British Airborne Division, 'Not In Vain" 17th - 25th September, 1944', hardcover, 8pp. Produced by the battalion from members who came back from the Arnhem Campaign. The has the original With Compliments card and the postal envelope addressed to Mrs F.Cannon from 5781931 L/Cpl Cannon.^7) Parachute Regiment (O C A) Old Comrades Association lapel badge (KC), in silvered and enamel, by J.R.Gaunt, London.^8) Coloured certificate issued by Borough of Luton Civil Defence (General) Services to Frank B Cannon, a member of the Central Control Service 17 January 1940 to 19 July 1940.^9) Photo album with various photos, mostly military related.^10) A few newspaper clippings, one detailing Pte B.F.Cannon's lucky escape from Arnhem. 'Pte Cannon has not told his parents much about his ordeal, save that he had to swim the Rhine, and in doing so caught a cold. An Army pal whom he brought home during his last leave was not so lucky, for he was wounded and taken prisoner. Altogether Pte Cannon has served in four regiments since he joined the army four years ago. He was first in the Royal Norfolks, saw service in North Africa and Italy with the Lancashire Fusiliers and the R.A.C. and then transferred to the Parachute Regt. His Arnhem "jump" was not his first for he had taken part in an operation near Paris. He holds the Africa Star with the Eighth Army insignia. Elder son of Mr and Mrs K.Cannon, who's other son is minesweeping in the R.N., Pte Cannon attended Waller Street School, and before joining up was working for Percival Aircraft Ltd. He is aged 21.'^11) Parchment Warrant document dated 5 May 1959 appointing Brian Frank Cannon to be a Warrant Officer in Her Majesty's Territorial Army from 12 November 1958.^12) Lord Lieutenant's Certificate from the Territorial and Auxiliary Forces Association of the County of Bedford placing on record the high appreciation for the loyal and devoted service rendered by 22536219 Sgt. Brian Frank Cannon of the Bedfordshire Yeomanry, dated 11 December 1958.^13) Other documents and telegrams.^14) A large timber plaque with a paratrooper with parachute at the front, the paratrooper is made of brass and the parachute canopy is in oxidised metal with thin wire supports, a few of these loose, a small brass plaque at the base reads, 'Sgt F.Cannon/3rd Battalion', on the reverse is another nickel plaque that reads, 'The Eternal Parachute Soldier/40th Anniversary/Airborne Forces Landing in Europe/1944' and with impressed number '242/500' (height approx 42cm).^15) Modern fold-out brochure in German with information on the Battle of Arnhem with map for the Liberation Route Europe tour.^The 3rd Battalion of the Parachute Regiment was part of the 1st Airborne Division that was sent to Arnhem as part of Operation Market Garden. The unit was involved in very heavy fighting during the nine day stand at Oosterbeek. The 3rd Battalion was almost completely wiped out and many of the men from the battalion were killed, wounded or taken as prisoners of war. Pte B.F.Cannon was lucky enough to escape by swimming the Rhine River. The survivors of the battle finally made it back to the UK and their unit was amalgamated with the 2nd Battalion and they were sent to Palestine in 1945.