Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Second War May 1940 ‘Defence of the Escaut Canal’ M.M. group of six awarded to Lance-Corporal J. Goulden, Lancashire Fusiliers, who was subsequently taken Prisoner of War at Termoli, Italy on 4 October 1943

Military Medal, G.VI.R. (3446843 L-Cpl. J. Goulden. Lan. Fus.); 1939-45 Star; Africa Star, 1 clasp, 1st Army; Italy Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45, mounted as worn, good very fine (6) £1,000-£1,400

Provenance: Dix Noonan Webb, December 2007.

M.M. London Gazette 11 July 1940.

J. Goulden (also listed as Golden) was born in Salford on 6 July 1917, and attested for the Lancashire Fusiliers in 1936. He served with the 2nd Battalion in India until mid-1939, and then during the Second World War with the British Expeditionary Force in Europe. He was granted an Immediate M.M. by order of Major-General T. R. Eastwood, D.S.O., M.C., Commanding 4th Division, dated 31 May 1940, for gallantry during the defence of the Escaut Canal near Schelde in Belgium between 18 and 23 May 1940.

Evacuated at Dunkirk, Goulden subsequently served in North Africa and Italy, and was taken Prisoner of War at Termoli, Italy on 4 October 1943. He was held at Stalag VIIIB at Lamsdorf, and having been released following the cessation of hostilities, was discharged to the Reserves on 7 March 1946.

Sold with copied research including paperwork relating to the recipient’s M.M. and a copy of his P.O.W. Record Card with photograph. On one sheet it is stated, ‘It is regretted that, owing to the loss of documents on evacuation, the accounts of acts in respect of which the above (incl. the M.M. to Goulden) were awarded are not available’. Also with copied extract from the war diary providing the dispositions of the regiment.