Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Three: Warrant Officer Class III T. Downey, Devonshire Regiment

Defence and War Medals 1939-45; Army L.S. & G.C., G.VI.R., 1st issue (7213133 W.O. Cl. III. T. Downey. Devon R.) mounted for wear, edge bruise to last, nearly extremely fine, the rank on last rare (3) £70-£90

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, Medals from the Collection of Peter and Dee Helmore.

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Thomas Downey was born at Blarney, Cork, in 1901. A Farm Labourer by occupation, he attested for the Royal Munster Fusiliers on 25 October 1921, and following the disbandment of the Irish regiments he was transferred to the Devonshire Regiment on 7 April 1922. Posted to the 2nd Battalion in India he served there until 17 March 1926; returning home he was posted to the Depot until returning to India in 17 November 1932 and was posted to the 1st Battalion on the North West Frontier. Posted to the Depot on 24 December 1938 he remained at home for the duration of the Second World War, receiving his Long Service and Good Conduct Medal in April 1940. He was discharged to pension on 13 September 1945, and died at Exeter on 30 November 1952, aged 52.

Note: Warrant Officer Class III (Platoon Sergeant Major) was a short-lived rank at the outset of the Second World War, and only two Long Service and Good Conduct Medals bearing this rank were awarded to the Devonshire Regiment

Sold with copied service records; and other research.