Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

The R.V.M., M.S.M. group of nine awarded to Regimental Sergeant-Major Joseph Patterson, Coldstream Guards, later Yeoman Bed Goer, Yeoman of the Guard

Royal Victorian Medal, E.II.R., silver; General Service 1918-62, 1 clasp, Palestine (2652317. Sjt. J. Patterson. C. Gds.); 1939-45 Star; Italy Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45; Coronation 1953; Meritorious Service Medal, G.VI.R. 3rd issue (2652317 W.O. Cl. 1 J. Patterson. R.A.C.); Regular Army L.S. & G.C., G.VI.R., 1st issue (2652317 W.O. Cl. 2 J. Patterson. C. Gds.) mounted as worn, with related ribbon bars, good very fine £650-£750

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, The Collection of Medals to Yeomen of the Guard formed by Lieutenant-Colonel Paul Denny.

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R.V.M. (Silver) 13 June 1970, Yeoman Bed Goer, Yeoman of the Guard.

Joseph Patterson was born at Lee Holme, County Durham, on 14 May 1906. At the age of thirteen he became a miner but six years later he left the industry to join the Coldstream Guards, with whom he served in China 1927-28, and in Palestine in 1936. On the outbreak of war he went to France with his unit, the 2nd Battalion, and was later part of the famous rearguard action which covered the retreat to Dunkirk. Cut off from his battalion Patterson travelled down the coast with other soldiers in a similar position, eventually making his way back to England in a fishing boat. Following a fortnight’s debriefing, he was permitted to contact his wife, who still believed him to be ‘missing, presumed dead.’

In the latter part of the war he transferred to the Royal Armoured Corps, with whom he saw service in Italy and Austria, and after the war served in North Africa with the 1st Derbyshire Yeomanry. He left the Army in 1947 and soon afterwards was appointed to the Yeomen of the Guard.

In 1975 he entered the Royal Hospital, Chelsea, and was interviewed in 1977 by the B.B.C. as part of the Silver Jubilee edition of ‘Songs of Praise.’ He died in March 1987, shortly before his 81st birthday.

The lot is sold with various original documents, including Soldier’s Pay Book and Certificate of Service; a short biography written by his son; ‘1st Derbyshire Yeomanry Scrapbook 1939-1947,’ including two photographs of Patterson; various other photographs (5) including one of Patterson as a Yeoman of the Guard and another as a Chelsea Pensioner; and a beer mug decorated with his name and regimental details, and the Coldstream badge.