General Service Medal clasp Palestine (2656218. GDSMN. G.A. SLADE. C. GDS.); 1939-45 Star; War Medal 1939-45 with M.I.D. Oakleaf; Coronation Medal 1953; Police Exemplary Service Medal EIIR (CONST. GARFIELD A. SLADE); The French Recognition Medal (Médaille de la Reconnaissance Française) - unnamed as awarded with Dunkirk Commemorative Medal all mounted for wear.
Garfield Arthur Slade was born in Truro, Cornwall in 1912. He enlisted for service with the Coldstream Guards in 1933 seeing service with them in Palestine pre-war, before entering WWII with that regiment. He transferred to the Corps of Military Police in January 1940 and, having been posted to France, was taken Prisoner of War at St Quentin on 2 June 1940. He was Mentioned in Dispatches for distinguished services in connection with operations in the field March-June 1940 in the London Gazette of 20 December 1940
He was interred at Stalag XXIB Schubin and was repatriated, via Sweden, on 25 October 1943. On his return he was precluded from any further overseas operations until the cessation of hostilities with Germany. A newspaper article (included) mentions that he was almost totally paralysed for 12 months after suffering with diphtheria and pneumonia. He was posted to the Reserve on 26 August 1945. A Policeman by occupation, he continued on with that service, earning the 1953 Coronation Medal as a Cornish Constable who was sent to London for special street duty.
His WWII medals were posted to him in October 1948, to his local Police Station, Lezant, Launceton, Cornwall. He was awarded the Police Exemplary Service Medal in 1948 and retired from the force in April 1964. He passed away in Falmouth on 21 April 1990. He was also awarded the French Resistance Medal (Third Class) in the London Gazette 100/502 page 52.
The French Recognition Medal (Médaille de la Reconnaissance Française), also known as the Medal of French Gratitude, was awarded during WWII for acts of dedication in the public interest and other services not of a military nature. Instituted in 1917 and modified for WWII, it recognized individuals who helped war-wounded, refugees, or performed exceptional acts of public service during the conflict.
Medals are in good condition unless indicated otherwise. Sold with comprehensive research including his copied service file with the Coldstream Guards, several newspaper articles and an archive of photo albums of his time in Jerusalem. Also included are several German/English dictionaries, along with 4 St John Ambulance annual medals for 1949,1950,1953 and 1961.
