1939-45 Star (26848 V. BLYTH); Africa Star (26848 V. BLYTH); Italy Star (26848 V. BLYTH); Defence Medal (26848 V. BLYTH); War Medal 1939-45 (26848 V. BLYTH); Africa Service Medal (26848 V. BLYTH)
Victor Blyth was born in Johannesburg, Transvaal in 1918. He was Storeman on the Gold Mines whn he attested for service with the Transvaal Scottish as an Active Citizen Force member in 1937 and was a Company Sergeant Major by the time WWII broke out. He went with his regiment to East Africa/Middle East and was with them until transferring to the 1st City Regment with whom he saw action in Madagascar when the island was invaded to liberate it from the Free French. He then returned to the Middle East until being sent to an Officers Training Unit where he qualified as a Lieutenant.
In February 1944 hr was seconded to the UK forces in Italy, seeing service with the 2nd Battalion, Sherwood Foresters with whom he was Wounded in Action in the fight at La Casa on 4 October 1944. A hand grenade thrown at his position exploded throwing shrapnel into his right ribs, fracturing them and his ankle.
The regiments official history reported thus on the incident:
"At 0600 hours the reinforcements, a platoon of "A" company under Lt Blyth, having set out without news of "C" company, were held up by fire halfway up the razor-back approach and were forced to dig in in that very exposed position. Then at 1500 "A" company was warned to take part in a night attack on the feature in conjunction with the K.S.L.I.
Accordingly, at dusk, the company was withdrawn from its uncomfortable position, and a little later "A" company advanced up the hill. On arrival at the top the force, under Captain P.A. Hewitt, found a platoon of K.S.L.I. already there to his left. He immediately organised the defence of the hill on a four-platoon basis. Once again digging in commenced, and once again a ferocious counter-attack was launched from the reverse slopes, organised from the twin hill, which scattered the unfortunate "A" company in disorder. Captain Hewitt withdrew his battered force down the hill again. Amongst his casualties were Lieut. Blyth and one of the company's staunchest men, Pte Jolley. The wounded had to be left behind."
Blyth recovered and soldiered on, being returned to the SA Forces and finally released from service on 13 September 1945.
Medals are in good condition unless indicated otherwise. Sold with full South African service file including his officer file and medical report on WIA
