Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Six: Corporal W. L. Thorne, Canadian Forces

1939-45 Star; Italy Star; France and Germany Star; Canadian Volunteer Service Medal, with overseas clasp; War Medal 1939-45, Canadian issue, silver, all unnamed, Canadian Decoration, G.VI.R. (Cpl. W. L. Thorne) mounted as worn

Five: Telegraphist R. J. Watson, Royal Canadian Navy Volunteer Reserve, killed in action, 29 April 1944

1939-45 Star; Atlantic Star; Canadian Volunteer Service Medal, with overseas clasp; War Medal 1939-45, Canadian issue, silver, all unnamed; Canadian Memorial Cross, G.VI.R. (R. J. Watson, Telegraphist, R.C.N.V.R.) ring suspension, good very fine (11) £120-160

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, Medals from the Collection of the late Eric Smith.

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Corporal Wendell Lamont Thorne and his wife, Maisie Irene Thorne, were killed in a car accident at Petersville, New Brunswick, on 19 September 1958. With copied newspaper cuttings relating to the accident and death.

Telegraphist Reginald John Watson, R.C.N.V.R., was killed in action on 29 April 1944, when the Canadian destroyer Athabaskan was torpedoed and sunk in action with German destroyers off the coast of Brest. Half her compliment of 240 were lost, the survivors were made prisoners-of-war. Watson’s body was recovered and was buried in the Plouescat Communal Cemetery, Finistere, France. He was the son of James and Marie Antoinette Delrue Watson, and husband of Elizabeth Joan McGarry Watson of New York City.