Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Four: Lance-Corporal S. Thornber, Royal Engineers, who landed on Sword Beach with 79 Armoured Engineer Squadron on D-Day, 6 June 1944, and was wounded in action at Cambes three days later on 9 June 1944

1939-45 Star; France and Germany Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45; together with the recipient’s fibre identity disc ‘S Thornber 2119161 CE’; and King’s Badge for Loyal Service, nearly extremely fine (4) £80-£100

Stanley Thornber was born in Burnley, Lancashire, in 1918, and in the 1939 Register he is recorded as working as a joiner. He attested for the Royal Engineers in August 1940, and served with the 79 Armoured Engineers Squadron, 5 Armoured Engineer Regiment during the Second World War, landing on Queen Beach (Sword Beach) on D-Day, 6 June 1944. He was wounded in action three days later on 9 June 1944 when his unit was fighting at Cambes, and was discharged on 27 September 1946. His testimonial states:
‘He was a demolition NCO in a tank of an Assault Squadron R.E. and acted most coolly through many gallant actions. He is a top rate Carpenter and Joiner, and has carried out some excellent construction work.’

Thornber died in Burnley in 1990.

Sold with the recipient’s Soldiers’ Service and Pay Book; Soldier’s Release Book; Record of Service Card and Certificate of Transfer to the Reserve; a 79 Armoured Engineer Squadron Farewell Dance Programme, and a 5 Armoured Engineer Regiment Nominal Roll booklet, in both of which the recipient is recorded as being wounded in action on 9 June 1944; and various letters, photographs, and other ephemera.