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Auction: 25002 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 46

The well-documented campaign group of six awarded to Private H. Spink, Army Air Corps, one of a pair of twins who served with the 12th (Yorkshire) Battalion, Parachute Regiment during the Second World War and jumped on D-Day

1939-45 Star; France and Germany Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45; General Service 1918-62, 1 clasp, S. E. Asia 1945-46 (14205714 Pte. H. Spink. A.A.C.), mounted as worn, contact marks, nearly very fine (6)

Harold John Spink was born on 4 June 1922 and was a native of Haughley, Stowmarket, Suffolk and during the Second World War served with the 12th (Yorkshire) Battalion, Parachute Regiment. One of a pair of twins who were both in the Parachute Regiment, a period newspaper states:

'The Haughley twins, Harold & Dennis Spink, have done several operational jumps, including the first D-Day over Normandy, in France and in Germany over the Rhine.'

On 6 June 1944, the 12th Parachute Battalion, under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Johnny Johnson, landed in Normandy at 0050hrs. The Battalion was first tasked with securing the village of Le Bas de Ranville, despite the battalions' drop being heavily dispersed (only two thirds could be accounted for) the village was secured by 04:00 and the battalion began digging in around the village. The 12th held their ground until relieved by elements of the 3rd British Infantry Division advancing from the beaches. During this time the 12th Parachute Battalion was bombarded with heavy mortar and artillery fire, and repelled two German counter-attacks by the 125th Panzer Grenadier Regiment. They saw further hot action in the following days, with their CO taking a posthumous Distinguished Service Order.

Having also shared in the 'Varsity' jump, the twins thence transferred to serve in South-East Asia (Medal & clasp). Harold was discharged in August 1946 and claimed his campaign awards in February 1949; sold together with newspaper cutting, his 12 Para campaign book of 24 March-16 May 1945, National Service Grade Card, portrait photograph, besides his tie and beret, D-Day Commemorative and Normandy 1944 commemorative.

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Estimate
£500 to £700

Starting price
£400