The Bernard Harris Collection of Medals to the 4th Regiment, South African Infantry

Family Group:

Four: Private W. B. Cherry, 4th Regiment, South African Infantry, later South African Corps of Signals (Pigeon Service)
British War and Bilingual Victory Medals (Pte. W. B. Cherry. 4th S.A.I.); War Medal 1939-45; Africa Service Medal, these both officially impressed ‘240619 W. B. Cherry’, traces of adhesive to reverse of all, nearly very fine and better

Pair: Airman R. J. Cherry, South African Air Force
War Medal 1939-45; Africa Service Medal, these both officially impressed ‘543385 R. J. Cherry’, very fine (6) £100-£140

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, The Bernard Harris Collection of Medals to the 4th Regiment, South African Infantry.

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Collection

William Bird Cherry was born in Port Elizabeth in 1886 and attested for the 4th South African Infantry at Potchefstroom on 7 September 1915. Disembarked at Marseilles on 20 April 1916, he was wounded in action during the Battle of the Somme on 13 July 1916. Admitted to the 3rd General Hospital the following day suffering from shell shock, he returned to the trenches on 24 November 1916 and later suffered a barbed wire wound to the knee in September 1917. Returned home to his wife at Port Elizabeth, Cherry returned to service from 3 September 1941 with the South African Corps of Signals. Transferred to the South African Corps of Signals Pigeon Service 22 February 1943, his record confirms entitlement to the War and Africa Service Medals.

Ronald James Cherry, an apprentice wood machinist, was born on 5 February 1923, the son of the above, and attested for the South African Air Force on 24 April 1942, training as a wireless operator. Posted to the 53rd Anti-Aircraft Regiment on 4 January 1943, he was discharged at his own request 4 months later.

Sold with copied service records for both father and son.