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Auction: 20002 - Orders, Decorations, Medals & Space Exploration
Lot: 354

Six: Private B. Mantle, Highland Light Infantry, a 'particularly kind' Regimental Nursing Orderly, who was twice reported as a casualty during the Second World War

General Service 1918-62, 1 clasp, Palestine (3311856 Pte. B. Mantle. H.L.I.); 1939-45 Star; Africa Star, clasp, 8th Army; France and Germany Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45, good very fine (6)

Benjamin Ray Mantle was born on 5 July 1916 at Nottingham and attested for the Highland Light Infantry on 28 December 1936. A labourer by occupation, he served with the 2nd Battalion in India from 26 March 1938-7 November 1938 and then spent 4 years and 278 days in the Middle East where he is reported as a casualty on 21 January 1941. Posted home for a little over a year, Mantle served in North West Europe from 23 October 1944, his Regular Army Certificate of Service noting, 'until wounded at the River Maas'. Returning home on 24 February 1945, he was discharged at Perth on 5 January 1948 having been found medically unfit for further service after nine years with the Colours.

Sold with original Regular Army of Certificate of Service which notes him as '…a most cheerful man who has the rare ability to remain cheerful under adverse circumstances, nothing being too much trouble.'; Certificate of Qualification as a Regimental Nursing Orderly, dated 17 October 1938, which adds, 'He is particularly kind and helpful with the sick… Carried out his duties conscientiously.'; Middle East Training Centre, Mechanics School Certificate, dated 9 January 1943; Army Certificates of Education, Second & Third Class, taken at Edinburgh and Glasgow respectively in 1937.


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Sold for
£180

Starting price
£70