Six: Rifleman E. Akid, Royal Ulster Rifles, who was taken prisoner of war in Korea on 3 January 1951

1939-45 Star; Italy Star; Defence and War Medals; Korea 1950-53 (780018 Rfn., R.U.R.); U.N. Korea, good very fine
£300-350

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, The Bill and Angela Strong Medal Collection.

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Ernest Akid was taken prisoner of war at the Battle of Chaegunghyon on 3 January 1951 in which 208 officers and men were reported killed, wounded and missing. After a period of political indoctrination to which all captives were subjected, he was extremely fortunate to be one of five soldiers selected by the Chinese People’s Volunteers under the so called ‘Lenient Policy’ returned across the battlefield to the British lines loaded with propaganda leaflets calling on the enemy troops to surrender. No Mercy, No Leniency: Communist Mistreatment of British & Allied Prisoners of War in Korea, by Cyril Cunningham refers. (A copy of this book is included with the lot). Ernest Akid had previously served with the Territorial Army in the Royal Artillery from January 1928 to January 1932 and the Manchester Regiment from April 1939 to August 1950.