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Auction: 23112 - Orders, Decorations and Medals - e-Auction
Lot: 570

(x) Seven: Private J. N. Girwin, 2nd South African Infantry

British War and Victory Medals (Pte. J. N. Girwin. 2nd S.A.I.); 1939-45 Star; Africa Star; Italy Star; War Medal 1939-45; Africa Service Medal, all Second World War medals named (233656 J. N. Girvin), mounted as worn, good very fine (7)

James Newby Girvin born in Whitehaven, England on 4 June 1899, the son of Mary Girvin of 23 First Avenue, Durban, Natal. Working as a fireman prior to enlistment on 19 March 1918 Girvin entered the war in France on 27 August 1918. While in France he was appointed as a Lewis Gunner from 20 October 1918, a post he held until 30 November 1918.

Returning to Britain and 9 January 1919 and from thence to South Africa in April 1919, being discharged at Cape Town on 7 April. Upon leaving the military Girvin took up work as a locomotive driver operating out of Kelso. On the outbreak of the Second World War Girvin returned to full time service on 7 September 1942.

Posted as a Sapper to the South African Engineer Corps and disembarked at the Suez Canal on 4 May 1943. Here Girvin was posted to the 38th Railway Construction Company, part of The Railways and Harbour Brigade. This formation arrived at Taranto in November 1943 and served in Italy for much of the rest of the war. Girvin returned to South Africa on 8 January 1946 and was discharged there on 10 February 1946; sold together with copied service papers.

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

Sold for
£95

Starting price
£50