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Auction: 23111 - Orders, Decorations and Medals - e-Auction
Lot: 862

(x) A Fall of France P.O.W.'s 'Surrender at St. Valery' group of three awarded to Sergeant A. W. Fish, Royal Signals

1939-45 Star; War Medal 1939-45; Imperial Service Medal (Arthur William Fish), sold together with its Royal Mint case of issue, good very fine (3)

Arthur William Fish was born at Paddington on 2 February 1903, the son of John and Mary Fish of 9 Southam Street, North Kensington. Enlisting with the Royal Corps of Signals at Whitehall on 14 May 1921 he listed previous employment as a Motor Car Diver. He specialised as a Linesman and soon developed into a capable and responsible soldier with repeated recommendations made of his character between 1924-1927 by commanding officers. His final assessment upon leaving the Colours was 'exemplary' with the commander of 4th Divisional Signals writing:

'He has shown himself to be a good reliable N.C.O. Keen on his duties, honest and hardworking. Moreover he is sober, quick and intelligent, and a good horseman. I can most strongly recommend for employment as he is not afraid of a hard day's work'

Fish joined the Army Reserve on 13 May 1927 but upon the outbreak of the Second World War he returned to the colours, being recalled on 1 September 1939. Posted to G.H.Q. attached 51st Highland Division he was with them during the Battle for France in 1940.

As the British Expeditionary Force and their French allies were squeezed back against the coast the Highland Division found itself cut off from the rest of the Army. Attempting to reach Le Havre for evacuation they were forced into a defensive perimeter at St. Valery; as the bulk of the B.E.F. were taken off from Dunkirk the Highland Division fought a desperate last stand.

Despite defiant resistance - and a good deal of colourful language around the suggestion of surrender - a breakthrough on 11 June made encirclement inevitable. With the French surrendering early on 12 June and his men almost out of ammunition, General Fortune had no option but to follow suit. The 51st Division - along with Fish and his comrades - went 'in the bag' around two hours after the French.

He was transported to Stalag XXA, spending the next two years between there and Stalag XXB serving in work camps where he spent his time filling sand skips before going onto demolitions. No longer allowed to work after September 1941, by September 1943 Fish was transferred to Stalag 383 in Bavaria. He was finally liberated in May 1945.

Returning to Britain, Fish worked as Technician Class I in the London Telecommunications Region and earned his Imperial Service Medal there. He retired to Swindon, Wiltshire and died there in 1974; sold together with a copied P.O.W. questionnaire and London Gazette entry as well as an archive of original material comprising:

i)
A Certificate of Service.

ii)
Soldier's pay book.

iii)
Two safe driving medals and a Royal Corps of Signals cap badge.

iv)
An O.H.M.S. box of issue.

v)
Royal Corps of Signals Stall Plate.

vi)
Certificates of education.

vi)
Attestation and Mobilization.

vii)
Post Office Engineering Department confirmation of grade.

viii)
Marriage certificate.

ix)
Birth Registry entry.


Subject to 5% tax on Hammer Price in addition to 20% VAT on Buyer’s Premium.

Sold for
£140

Starting price
£80