Military medals to go under the hammer in Suffolk
Private George John Alexander's 1915 Star Trio and Death Plaque. Picture Lockdales. - Credit: Archant
The military decorations of a veteran who died in the First World War are up for auction in Suffolk.
The East and West Africa Medal belonging to Private Robert Ling. Picture: Lockdales. - Credit: Archant
Pte George John Alexander was born in Earsham but lived in Bedingham, near Bungay. He died on March 24, 1917, aged 45, with his cause of death listed as haemorrhage of the lungs. He was serving with the 13th Veterinary Hospital of the Royal Army Veterinary Corps and was buried at Etaples Military Cemetery in France.
His medals, the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal and the Victory Medal, along with a Death Plaque, are up for auction with Lockdales, the auctioneers of Martlesham, near Ipswich.
They will be auctioned as one lot with a £220 to £230 catalogue guide price on January 28 – the first day of a two-day auction of specialist collectables.
Chris Elmy, a cataloguer at Lockdales, said: 'They are part of a medal collection we are selling on behalf of a collector from the north of England.
The East and West Africa Medal belonging to Private Robert Ling. Picture: Lockdales - Credit: Archant
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'We specialise in militaria, so we see a lot of collections, but this one is quite interesting for local collectors. They could go for more if there are local people interested who like the history of it.'
The East and West Africa Medal with bar, Brass River 1895, of Pte Robert Ling of Beccles will also be going under the hammer as part of a separate collection.
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Pte Ling was born on October 19, 1865 in London Road, Beccles, and enlisted into the Royal Marines on September 19, 1885 in Cambridge.
He was invalided out of the service on February 5, 1897 for reasons which are unclear, although it is thought he could have contracted malaria.
During his 12 years' service he went from Private to Gunner to Signalman. He had some short spells afloat, but his only period of action was aboard HMS St George which he joined on October 25, 1894.
The medal comes with a full story/history of the Brass River campaign as told through the eyes of Sgt King, and is estimated to fetch £300 to £320.
Full details and other lots up for auction can be found at www.lockdales.com
Do you own a special collection of medals? Email amy.smith@archant.co.uk
