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Auction: 19002 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 177

Four: Guardsman W. Boothby, Signal Platoon, 1st Battalion, Grenadier Guards

1939-45 Star; France and Germany Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45, nearly extremely fine, mounted as worn (4)

William Boothby enlisted into the 1st Battalion, Grenadier Guards at Windsor on 21 November 1940. He qualified as an Operator Lineman in the 1st Battalion's Signal Platoon, and served in North-West Europe from 19 June 1944. He was present at the capture of the Nijmegen Road Bridge by the Guards Armoured Division on 20 September 1944. In Boothby's certificate of service, his commanding officer said of him:

'His behaviour in action when called to go out on line parties in exposed and unhealthy parts of the front was calm and unruffled. He is a hard and conscientious worker and thoroughly honest and trustworthy. He was one of the great characters of the Signal Platoon.'

Boothby took part in the British Victory Parade through Berlin on 21 July 1945, his Battalion leading the procession. He retired from the Army on 20 September 1946, but continued to take an active part in the Grenadier Guards Association. He married Phyllis Coulson at St. Mary's Church, Pinchbeck, Lincolnshire on 5 September 1959.

Sold with a fascinating archive, including:

(i) An original programme for the British Victory Parade in Berlin, 21 July 1945, in good condition

(ii)
An original copy of Report by the Supreme Commander to the Combined Chiefs of Staff on the Operations in Europe of the Allied Expeditionary Force, 6 June 1944 to 8 May 1945 (1946), scuffed but otherwise in good condition

(iii)
A Daily Express War Map of Europe (1940), in good condition

(iv)
Several items captured by Boothby from a German household, including two Nazi armbands, a silvered metal bust of Adolf Hitler, several banknotes, and much Nazi-related propaganda, in good condition

(v)
Two Grenadier Guards Association hand-held mirrors, by Stratton of London, each 80mm, in gilt cases with Regimental cipher on the lid, in card boxes of issue, in good condition

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Sold for
£210