Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Seven: Warrant Officer Class II W. Knowles, Royal Artillery, later Fireman, Birmingham Fire Brigade

1939-45 Star; Africa Star; Italy Star; France and Germany Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45; Fire Brigade L.S. & G.C., E.II.R. (Fireman William Knowles) first six mounted as worn, the last loose, nearly extremely fine (7) £100-£140

William Knowles was born in Oldham, Lancashire on 23 December 1912. He attested for the Royal Artillery on 21 January 1931 and served with the 9th (Minden) Heavy Battery in Aden and Malta from 4 October 1932 to 5 October 1937. He transferred to the Reserve on 5 January 1938, and joined the Birmingham Fire and Ambulance Service on 17 January of that year.

Following the outbreak of the Second World War, and despite being in a reserved occupation, Knowles was called up for War Service on 1 December 1939, and served in Egypt, the Middle East, Italy, and in North West Europe, and was advanced Warrant Officer Class II. He was released to Class ‘Z’ Reserve on 24 February 1946, and re-joined the Fire Brigade. Knowles retired from the Fire Brigade on 16 January 1968, and died in Wolverhampton on 30 December 1981.

Sold with copied record of service, a postcard photograph believed to be of the recipient, and copied research.