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Auction: 26003 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 183

The campaign group of six awarded to Sergeant A. B. Lindsay, Glider Pilot Regiment, Army Air Corps, who was captured and taken a Prisoner of War at the Battle of Arnhem, having flown a Glider into the action - Lindsay had previously flown into Normandy on D-Day

1939-45 Star; Italy Star; France & Germany Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45; Efficiency Medal, G.VI.R., Territorial (918329. Sjt. A. B. Lindsay. R.A.), good very fine (6)

Allan Barr Lindsay - or 'Jock' to his friends and comrades - was born at Cathcart, Glasgow on 18 February 1920, his father having served in the Royal Highlanders during the Great War.

By the time of the outbreak of the Second World War, young Lindsay was an insurance clerk by the time of his enlistment in Glasgow on 19 May 1939. Called out on 3 September 1939, he transferred to the Army Air Corps, Glider Pilot Regiment on 26 July 1942 and went through course No. 7 at Weston, taking his Wings as a Glider Pilot. He shared in Operation Husky (Sicily), Mallard (D-Day) with E Squadron 2nd Wing and finally at the Battle of Arnhem.

During those fateful days in September 1944, Linsday took his glider in on the second days but was eventually reported missing and confirmed as a Prisoner of War. Held at Limbergh & Mualburgh, he was repatriated on 28 June 1945. Eventually released to Reserve on 18 May 1946, Lindsay settled in Taunton, his T.E.M. was issued as per Army Order 119 and had his campaign medals issued in February 1949.

As recalled by his comrade Samuel Isaacs, his life had a sad ending:

'On seeing a private viewing of ‘A Bridge Too Far’ in Bristol he returned home and his poor heart, damaged so badly in the camp, gave out and he died at home alone on 25 June 1977 - he had divorced his wife some time before and had no children.'

Sold together with his Soldier's Service & Pay Book (Army Book 64), Release Book, besides photographs, including the famous image of Glider Pilots taking their 'first refreshments' on returning from D-Day, and copied research.

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Estimate
£2,000 to £3,000

Starting price
£1800