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Auction: 23112 - Orders, Decorations and Medals - e-Auction
Lot: 615

Family group:

A Second World War Far East campaign group of three awarded to Private L. Radford, 1/5th Battalion, The Sherwood Foresters, who was taken P.O.W. in Singapore and died in captivity in November 1943

1939-45 Star; Pacific Star; War Medal 1939-45, together with a signed War Office communication addressed to his mother, regarding her son's reburial, dated 23 August 1946, reverse taped, extremely fine (3)

The Second World War campaign group of six awarded to Driver L. J. Radford, Royal Army Service Corps

1939-45 Star; Africa Star; Italy Star; France & Germany Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45, together with his original Soldier's Pay and Service Book, spine taped, good very fine (9)

Lionel Radford, who was from Alperton, Wembley, served in the 1/5th Battalion, The Sherwood Foresters and was taken P.O.W. at the fall of Singapore in February 1942.

As recounted in numerous histories, the Foresters displayed considerable fortitude and gallantry in the final days of the defence of Singapore. Allocated to "Tomforce" - with the 4th Norfolks and elements of the 18th Reconnaissance Corps - the Battalion was ordered to re-capture Bukit Timah and the hill overlooking the village.

Advancing along the Bukit Timah dual carriageway, in extended order, the Foresters and "Tomforce" had to cover nine miles of hostile terrain to reach their objective, and they were met with fierce opposition - and enemy aircraft attack - on closing the objective. Having then put in a gallant attack on the hill overlooking the village, and taken its first casualties, "Tomforce's" actions proved in vain, for flanking forces had given way to relentless Japanese attacks.

Next ordered to assist the 2/10 Baluchis hold the village of Nee Soon, situated in the middle of Singapore, the Foresters came under a crescendo of mortar and small arms fire. Then an ominous rumbling sound was heard approaching down the road. The Japanese were bringing up tanks and the Foresters had no means to counter them. Private Morrell of the Foresters sought cover behind a large log, watching in horror as it grew smaller and smaller as enemy fire took great chunks out of it:

"[Then] We pulled back into the rubber. We didn't run away. We just parted to let them go through. What else could we do? We had nothing to stop them."

It mattered not. On the 15th came the formal surrender of Singapore. But as the battalion's historian, Clifford Housley, noted, 'With hindsight and given the opportunity, they might well have decided to fight on'.

Instead, the likes of Lionel Radford and his fellow Foresters had to endure terrible suffering at the hands of their Japanese captors. He died in captivity on 16 November 1943, aged 26, and is buried in Thanbyuzayat War Cemetery, on the Thai-Burma border.

Undoubtedly a victim of the "Railway of Death", he actually died at Tambaya hospital camp, but his remains were moved to Thanbyuzayat after the war. His gravestone bears the following inscription:

'In loving memory of my dear son Lionel. So sadly missed by mother and family.'

Leslie John Radford, Lionel's younger brother, was born on 12 May 1922 and enlisted in the Army (Militia) in June 1942. He appears to have been appointed a Driver in the Royal Army Service Corps and was embarked for the Middle East November 1942; his accompanying Soldier's Pay and Service Book confirms his entitlement to all of the above described campaign Stars and Medals.

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Sold for
£240

Starting price
£70