Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Six: Sergeant J. Falkingham, Royal Signals

General Service 1918-62, 1 clasp, Palestine (2321443. Sgln. J. Falkingham. R. Signals); 1939-45 Star; Africa Star, 1 clasp, 8th Army; Italy Star; France and Germany Star; War Medal 1939-45, very fine (6) £100-£140

John Haw Falkingham was born in York on 6 June 1913 and joined the Royal Signals in the early 1930s. Initially drafted to India in 1933 with the 5th Divisional Signal Company, he transferred in 1936 to the 1st Cavalry Brigade Signal Company at Risalpur. Transferred to Palestine for service with the Palestine Force Signals, he returned home to England in 1939 and was court martialed; convicted of fraud, he received 28 days’ detention in August 1939.

Witnessing extensive service in North Africa, Italy and north-west Europe during the Second World War, Falkingham is recorded in 1947 as a Sergeant with the 7th Armoured Division Signals Regiment at Bad Rothenfelde. The following year he formed part of the Hannover District Signal Squadron, before taking civilian employment as a security officer in Surrey. He died at Guildford on 13 July 1974.

Sold with copied research relating to the Court Martial at Bulford Camp and later service in Germany - including a couple of military group photographs with the recipient identified.