Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

General Service 1918-62, 1 clasp, Palestine 1945-48 (2629169 Gdsmn. W. Curley. Gren. Gds.) the second digit of service number somewhat overlapping the first, extremely fine £80-£100

Wilfred Curley was born in Rylake, Sunderland, on 4 September 1926. A haulage hand by trade, he attested for the Grenadier Guards at Newcastle on 7 March 1947 and initially served at home as Guardsman with “D” Company, 1st Battalion, Grenadier Guards. Posted to the Middle East from 17 January 1948 to 6 June 1948, he was admitted to hospital at Haifa with a fracture of the fifth-left metacarpel. Healed, he served in Tripoli from 7 June 1948 to 14 May 1951, followed by a short return to the Middle East from 22 July 1951 to 10 September 1951. Released to Reserve not long thereafter, his confidential testimonial was most praiseworthy:

‘Exemplary. A guardsman who has served for some considerable time in Support Coy as a carrier driver, and who has always been a competent and conscientious man who is always cheerful, willing and contented. He is a man who makes friends easily, and is well liked by all. He has a sound knowledge of the internal combustion engine, varied experience in driving tracked (but not wheeled) vehicles, and in mechanical maintenance duties.’

Sold with the recipient’s original Regular Army Certificate of Service; two bronze Royal Life Saving Society Medals, engraved to reverse ‘W. Curley July 1950’ and ‘W. Curley 1950’; and extensive copied research including service record and casualty form.