WW1 Military Medal, 1914-15 Star trio, 1939-1945 Star, Defen...

Hammer

£400

WW1 Military Medal, 1914-15 Star trio, 1939-1945 Star, Defence Medal and BWM to 80153 Cpl J. Tasker R.A. (Gnr C.59/Bde R.F.A. on MM, A.Bmbr R.F.A. on star, WW2 un-named as issued. John Tasker's MM was announced in the London Gazette dated 21st August 1917, his MM card also states he was attached to Y/11th Trench Mortar Battery.
In WW2, he initially served as an auxiliary fireman and later served with the Auxiliary Military Pioneer Corps and was a survivor of the sinking of the R.M.S. Lancastria by German bombers off St Nazaire on 17th June 1940 with the loss of over 4,500 lives. The Shipley Times dated 7/8/40 reported "CSM Tasker was in the water for more than 3 hours. He was then picked up by a lifeboat, being one of the last men in, and was conveyed to a minesweeper which saved no fewer than 750 lives. On arriving in England, CSM was given 7 days leave, he had been severely stung by jellyfish, and suffered from the effects of his long immersion in the water. At the end of his leave he was not fit to return to his unit and had to spend 12 days in a local hospital. He rejoined his unit the Auxiliary Military Pioneer Corps, a month ago.
With original photo in uniform with medal ribbons (with information on reverse), Otley newspaper cutting with photo of him and other firemen, several cuttings about Lancastria and photocopied MIC, LG, MM card and newspaper extract. (See photo) (R)