Medals from the Collection of Peter and Dee Helmore

Nine: Sergeant J. W. McEwan, Dorset Regiment, attached Devonshire Regiment

General Service 1918-62, 2 clasps, Palestine, Malaya, second clasp loose on riband, as issued (5724031 Pte. J. W. McEwan. Dorset.) middle initial officially corrected; 1939-45 Star; Africa Star; Italy Star; France and Germany Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45; Africa General Service 1902-56, 1 clasp, Kenya (5724031 Sgt. J. McEwan. Dorset.); Army L.S. & G.C., G.VI.R., 2nd issue, Regular Army, (5724031 Sgt. J. W. McEwan. Devon.) mounted for wear, good very fine and better, the AGS rare to unit (9) £600-£800

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, Medals from the Collection of Peter and Dee Helmore.

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One of only three Africa General Service Medals with clasp Kenya awarded to other ranks in the Dorset Regiment.

John Wilfred McEwan was born in Chard, Somerset in 1914. He attested as a Boy aged 16 for the Dorsetshire Regiment at Dorchester on 27 January 1931 and was posted to the 2nd Battalion. Having attained the age of 18 years he was posted to the ranks as Private in the 2nd Battalion on 11 October 1932 and was later appointed Drummer. Embarking with 2nd Battalion for Egypt in March 1936 the battalion was posted for service in Palestine on 10 June 1936, retuning home at the end of the year. Posted next to 1st Battalion in India as Drummer in March 1937 he embarked with 1st Battalion for Malta in June 1939. The 1st Battalion Dorset Regiment served throughout the Siege of Malta from 1939 to 1943 before embarking for Egypt on 29 March 1943 to undergo a period of intensive training in preparation for Operation Husky. The 1st Battalion landed on Amber Beach at Marzamemi, Sicily on 10 July 1943 before attacking and capturing Vizzini on 14 July and supporting the Canadians in the capture of Agira later that month. Their final major action in Sicily was at Regalbuto on 1 August 1943.

Along with a draft of 28 long serving men McEwan left Sicily for the U.K. on 31 August 1943 and was posted to 5th Battalion, undergoing preparation for D-Day. The 5th Battalion embarked with XXX Corps and landed on Gold Beach, Normandy on 23 June 1944. In action in the Normandy Bocage between July and August 1944 and later the crossing of the River Seine before supporting Operation Market Garden at Nijmegen in September 1944. Appointed Lance Corporal on 4 November 1944 and Corporal later that month, he was further appointed Lance Sergeant on 8 February 1945. The 5th Battalion crossed the River Rhine at Rees on 25 March 1945 and took part in XXX Corps Victory Parade at Bremerhaven on 11 May 1945. Returning home he was transferred to Class ‘Z’ Army Reserve on 21 March 1946 before re-enlisting in the Dorset Regiment as Corporal to complete 22 years’ service on 7 August 1946. Posted to the Permanent Staff, Primary Training Corps as Acting Sergeant 8 October 1947 and to the Wessex Brigade Training Centre 23 April 1948, he embarked for service in Malaya on 17 June 1948 and was posted to the 1st Battalion Devonshire Regiment on 16 July 1948 and was promoted Sergeant on 2 October 1948. Awarded his Long Service and Good Conduct Medal in 1950 he is recorded as having received gun shot wounds to his leg whilst in the aid of the Civil Power at 78th Mile Stone, Bentong-Karak Road on 23 July 1950. The 1st Battalion Devonshire Regiment embarked Singapore in HT Empress of Australia and disembarked at Liverpool 18 December 1950 to be stationed at Bury St Edmunds. For his service in Malaya Sergeant McEwan received the clasp Malaya to his General Service Medal. His Long Service and Good Conduct Medal was presented to him by the Earl of Fortescue, Lord Lieutenant of Devon, on parade at Blenheim Barracks, Bury St Edmunds on 23 February 1951.

Posted back to the Depot Dorset Regiment at Dorchester on 24 May 1951, McEwan proceeded with a draft for the 1st Battalion Dorset Regiment, British Troops Austria, on 18 July 1951, returning home with his battalion on 15 July 1952. Promoted Staff Sergeant on 4 March 1953 he emplaned for Kenya with HQ 39 Infantry Brigade on 30 March 1953 and was posted once again to the 1st Battalion, Devonshire Regiment on 22 September 1953. Returning from East Africa he was posted Sergeant to the Depot Dorset Regiment on 4 June 1954 prior to being discharged on termination of engagement on 1 March 1955 after 24 years and 34 days’ service. For his service in Kenya he was awarded the Africa General Service Medal, one of only three examples issued and named to other ranks from the Dorset Regiment. His record of service indicates he was accepted for service next with the War Department Constabulary. He died on 21 February 1969.’

Sold with the original ribands; and copied research.