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Auction: 19001 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 902

An exceptionally poignant Korean War casualties pair awarded to Fusilier H. W. Sellen, Royal Fusiliers, late Private, King's Shropshire Light Infantry

Korea 1950-53, 1st issue (22318657. Fus. H. W. Sellens. R.F.); U.N. Korea 1950-54, unnamed as issued, official corrections to number and rank, good very fine (2)

29 Royal Fusiliers lost their lives during the Korean War.

Harold William Sellens was born on 16 July 1931 at Hastings, Sussex and was called for National Service with the Middlesex Regiment in November 1950. Upon posting for active service in Korea, Sellens found himself attached to the King's Shropshire Light Infantry and was amongst the first of that distinguished regiment to be wounded in action at the Imjin River, as a result of shrapnel wounds to his face on 9 June 1951 (The Times, 9 June 1951, refers).

Returned home on account of his wounds, it was clear this young man was suffering from 'mental strain', at this point in time not recognised as what today would have likely been diagnosed as P.T.S.D.. Sellens was summoned before Hastings Magistrate Court in May 1952 for 'peeping in windows' locally. He would be fined 5 guineas and apologised, stating '...I am very sorry and it will not happen again' (Hastings and St Leonards Observer, 31 May 1952, refers).

Recovered from his physical wounds, Sellens rejoined the Army and found himself serving with the 1st Battalion, Royal Fusiliers and headed back to Korea in August 1952. Back in the thick of the action, he would be killed in a fierce engagement on 16 April 1953, losing his life as a result of a missile wound to the left side of neck and his upper back.

Sellens was just 21 years of age, he rests in Plot 39, Row 6 of the Pusan Commonwealth Cemetery and is commemorated upon the Royal Fusiliers War Memorial, Holborn Viaduct, London; sold with copied research, portrait photograph and Restricted casualty report.

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Estimate
£500 to £600