{"product_id":"family-medals-middlesex-regiment-hong-kong-pow-died-japan-ww2-grenadier-guards","title":"Family Medals Middlesex Regiment Hong Kong POW Died Japan WW2 Grenadier Guards","description":"\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;\"\u003eAn exceptional \u003cb\u003emulti-generational family medal group\u003c\/b\u003e spanning both \u003cb\u003eWorld Wars\u003c\/b\u003e, comprising the medals and effects of \u003cb\u003efour related servicemen\u003c\/b\u003e of the \u003cb\u003eGardner family\u003c\/b\u003e. The group includes an \u003cb\u003eOld Contemptible\u003c\/b\u003e of the \u003cb\u003e1st Grenadier Guards\u003c\/b\u003e who landed in France in \u003cb\u003eOctober 1914\u003c\/b\u003e, a \u003cb\u003eMiddlesex Regiment\u003c\/b\u003e soldier who died as a \u003cb\u003eJapanese prisoner of war\u003c\/b\u003e after the fall of \u003cb\u003eHong Kong\u003c\/b\u003e, a \u003cb\u003eRoyal Artillery\u003c\/b\u003e veteran of the \u003cb\u003eNorth-West Europe campaign\u003c\/b\u003e, and an \u003cb\u003e11th Hussars\u003c\/b\u003e trooper who served in \u003cb\u003eNorth Africa and Italy\u003c\/b\u003e. Accompanied by a remarkable quantity of original associated material including \u003cb\u003enamed items, badges, service books, telegrams, wartime correspondence, silk postcards and family research\u003c\/b\u003e, the collection forms an outstanding and deeply personal archive of \u003cb\u003eBritish military service and sacrifice\u003c\/b\u003e across two world wars.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;\"\u003eFrederick Gardner – 1st Grenadier Guards, Old Contemptible, BEF 1914, Later Metropolitan Police War Service\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;\"\u003e1914 Star with Clasp – \u003cb\u003e15852 PTE F. GARDNER. 1\/G. GDS.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003eBritish War Medal – \u003cb\u003e15852 PTE. F. GARDNER. G. GDS.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003eVictory Medal – \u003cb\u003e15852 PTE. F. GARDNER. G. GDS.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003eDefence Medal – \u003cb\u003eP.C.420 ‘X DIV’ F. GARDNER.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;\"\u003eMounted as worn. Also with extensive associated material including badges, ribbon bars, named duty plate, permanent pass, and a large archive of wartime postcards and silk souvenirs sent home from France and Belgium.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;\"\u003eFrederick Gardner\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;\"\u003e was born on \u003cb\u003e12th August 1890 at Kidlington, Oxfordshire\u003c\/b\u003e, the son of \u003cb\u003eGeorge Andrew Gardner\u003c\/b\u003e and \u003cb\u003eHenrietta Gunstone\u003c\/b\u003e. By the time of the 1901 Census the family were living at \u003cb\u003e44 Park Street, Thame, Oxfordshire\u003c\/b\u003e, where Frederick was recorded as the son of the household. He later married \u003cb\u003eMyra Elsie Webb\u003c\/b\u003e at Forest Hill, Oxfordshire, on \u003cb\u003e28th May 1916\u003c\/b\u003e, and together they would have several children including \u003cb\u003eGeorge Albert Gardner\u003c\/b\u003e, later killed during the Second World War, \u003cb\u003eFrederick James Gardner\u003c\/b\u003e, and \u003cb\u003eDiana Rose Gardner\u003c\/b\u003e. By 1921 Frederick was living at Willesden, Middlesex, employed as a \u003cb\u003ePolice Constable\u003c\/b\u003e, a career reflected decades later by his award of the Second World War Defence Medal named to his police service.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;\"\u003eFrederick enlisted into the \u003cb\u003eGrenadier Guards\u003c\/b\u003e on \u003cb\u003e26th April 1912\u003c\/b\u003e, receiving the regimental number \u003cb\u003e15852\u003c\/b\u003e, and served with the \u003cb\u003e1st Battalion Grenadier Guards\u003c\/b\u003e. When the First World War broke out, the battalion formed part of the famous \u003cb\u003e20th Brigade, 7th Division\u003c\/b\u003e, one of the first regular army formations rushed overseas to reinforce the exhausted British Expeditionary Force following the terrible early battles of 1914. Frederick landed in \u003cb\u003eFrance on 6th October 1914\u003c\/b\u003e, qualifying for the coveted \u003cb\u003e1914 Star with Clasp and Roses\u003c\/b\u003e, marking him as one of the “Old Contemptibles” who served under fire during the opening months of the war before 22nd November 1914.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;\"\u003eThe \u003cb\u003e1st Grenadier Guards\u003c\/b\u003e were thrown almost immediately into some of the hardest fighting of the early war. The battalion fought during the desperate battles around \u003cb\u003eYpres in late 1914\u003c\/b\u003e, where the original British Expeditionary Force suffered catastrophic losses while preventing the Germans from breaking through to the Channel ports. Men like Frederick Gardner belonged to the small professional regular army that bore the brunt of this fighting, and casualty rates among the Guards battalions were extremely severe. The award of the \u003cb\u003e1914 Clasp\u003c\/b\u003e confirms that Frederick served under enemy fire during this brutal opening campaign.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;\"\u003eOver the following years the battalion continued to serve on the Western Front through many of the war’s major offensives. The Grenadier Guards earned a formidable reputation as elite infantry, regularly committed to difficult operations and often used in assault roles. Frederick remained in service throughout the conflict and was not discharged until \u003cb\u003e18th March 1919\u003c\/b\u003e, indicating lengthy wartime service spanning virtually the entire war\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;\"\u003eThe medal group is mounted as worn and accompanied by a substantial quantity of original associated material belonging to Frederick Gardner, transforming the medals from a standard First World War trio into a deeply personal and highly researchable family archive.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;\"\u003eAmong the items included are his named \u003cb\u003eOld Contemptibles Association badge\u003c\/b\u003e, a particularly desirable association for pre-November 1914 veterans of the BEF. Also present are his original \u003cb\u003eribbon bar\u003c\/b\u003e, \u003cb\u003eminiature ribbon bar\u003c\/b\u003e, various \u003cb\u003eGrenadier Guards badges\u003c\/b\u003e, Guards Division insignia, a \u003cb\u003eFirst OR Grenadier Guards Association badge\u003c\/b\u003e, together with a named bed or duty plate engraved:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;\"\u003e“15852 F. GARDNER.”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;\"\u003eAlso included is Frederick’s original \u003cb\u003ePermanent Pass\u003c\/b\u003e, further strengthening the provenance and personal nature of the grouping.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;\"\u003eParticularly evocative is the very large collection of original wartime postcards sent by Frederick to his wife and children during the war. The archive reportedly contains \u003cb\u003ewell over thirty postcards\u003c\/b\u003e, many being highly decorative \u003cb\u003esilk embroidered First World War souvenir cards\u003c\/b\u003e, bearing colourful patriotic and sentimental wartime designs typical of the period. Numerous cards are signed from locations such as \u003cb\u003e“Somewhere in France”\u003c\/b\u003e and \u003cb\u003e“Somewhere in Belgium”\u003c\/b\u003e, giving a direct and moving connection to Frederick’s wartime service on the Western Front. These surviving family correspondence items provide an exceptional insight into the personal side of a regular soldier’s war and greatly enhance the overall historical value of the group.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;\"\u003eThe surviving family photographs \u003cb\u003eon Ancestry\u003c\/b\u003e are another remarkable feature of the lot. One image reportedly shows Frederick wearing his medals alongside his wife, two sons and daughter, while another depicts him proudly in his \u003cb\u003eGrenadier Guards uniform\u003c\/b\u003e beside his wife. These photographs help place the medals firmly within the story of a real family whose military service spanned both world wars.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;\"\u003eFollowing the First World War, Frederick entered police service and by the Second World War was serving as a police constable attached to \u003cb\u003e“X” Division\u003c\/b\u003e, qualifying for the \u003cb\u003eSecond World War Defence Medal\u003c\/b\u003e, officially named:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;\"\u003eP.C.420 ‘X DIV’ F. GARDNER\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;\"\u003eThis is an especially interesting and unusual addition to the group, linking his later wartime civil defence service directly to his earlier distinguished military career as an Old Contemptible of the Grenadier Guards.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;\"\u003eFrederick Gardner died in London on \u003cb\u003e18th August 1951\u003c\/b\u003e, aged 61. His life represents the story of a career serviceman and public servant who served both in the trenches of the First World War and later on the Home Front during the Second World War.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;\"\u003ePrivate George Albert Gardner – 1st Battalion Middlesex Regiment, Hong Kong POW, Died in Japanese Captivity 1943\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;\"\u003e1939-45 Star –\u003cb\u003e6201661 Pte. G.A. GARDNER 1st MIDDX.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003ePacific Star –\u003cb\u003e6201661 Pte. G.A. GARDNER 1st MIDDX.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003eDefence Medal –\u003cb\u003e6201661 Pte. G.A. GARDNER 1st MIDDX.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003eWar Medal – \u003cb\u003e6201661 Pte. G.A. GARDNER 1st MIDDX.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;\"\u003eMounted as worn and privately named in the same style as his father’s medals, almost certainly worn by Frederick Gardner in memory of his son following his death in Japanese captivity.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;\"\u003eGeorge Albert Gardner\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;\"\u003e was born at \u003cb\u003eOxford on 24th February 1916\u003c\/b\u003e, the eldest son of \u003cb\u003eFrederick Gardner\u003c\/b\u003e, the First World War \u003cb\u003eGrenadier Guards Old Contemptible\u003c\/b\u003e, and \u003cb\u003eMyra Elsie Gardner\u003c\/b\u003e. Raised within a deeply military family, George grew up in the shadow of his father’s distinguished Great War service and would himself go on to serve during one of the most desperate campaigns of the Second World War. His parents were later living at \u003cb\u003e9 Clifford Gardens, London NW10\u003c\/b\u003e, the address recorded as next of kin in official Japanese prisoner of war records.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;\"\u003eGeorge enlisted into the \u003cb\u003eMiddlesex Regiment (Duke of Cambridge’s Own)\u003c\/b\u003e, receiving the service number \u003cb\u003e6201661\u003c\/b\u003e, and served with the \u003cb\u003e1st Battalion Middlesex Regiment\u003c\/b\u003e in the Far East. The battalion formed part of the garrison defending \u003cb\u003eHong Kong\u003c\/b\u003e in December 1941, one of the most hopeless yet fiercely fought British defensive actions of the early war. The 1st Middlesex Regiment was regarded as one of the best prepared battalions in the colony and formed a key component of the Island Brigade during the defence of Hong Kong.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;\"\u003eThe Japanese invasion began on \u003cb\u003e8th December 1941\u003c\/b\u003e, only hours after the attack on Pearl Harbor. The defenders of Hong Kong, heavily outnumbered and lacking air or naval support, attempted to hold the colony against overwhelming Japanese forces. The fighting rapidly became fragmented and brutal, with many small units isolated and destroyed in desperate defensive actions across the island and mainland territories.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;\"\u003eThe Middlesex Regiment played a major role in the island fighting, manning defensive positions and attempting to stem repeated Japanese assaults as the colony collapsed under sustained attack. The battle ended with the surrender of Hong Kong on \u003cb\u003eChristmas Day 1941\u003c\/b\u003e, remembered ever since as “Black Christmas.” George Albert Gardner was captured by the Japanese on \u003cb\u003e25th December 1941\u003c\/b\u003e, beginning a terrible ordeal as a Far East prisoner of war.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;\"\u003eOfficial records confirm that he was initially held at \u003cb\u003eShamshuipo POW Camp\u003c\/b\u003e, Hong Kong, before later being transferred to Japan. Japanese POW documentation records him as:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul style=\"margin-top: 0cm;\" type=\"disc\"\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 36.0pt;\"\u003e\n\u003cb\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;\"\u003ePrivate George Albert Gardner\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 36.0pt;\"\u003e\n\u003cb\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;\"\u003eService Number: 6201661\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 36.0pt;\"\u003e\n\u003cb\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;\"\u003e1st Battalion, Middlesex Regiment\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 36.0pt;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;\"\u003eBorn \u003cb\u003e24th February 1916\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 36.0pt;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;\"\u003ePlace of origin: \u003cb\u003eOxford, England\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 36.0pt;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;\"\u003eFather: \u003cb\u003eFrederick\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 36.0pt;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;\"\u003eMother: \u003cb\u003eMyra\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 36.0pt;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;\"\u003eCaptured at Hong Kong on \u003cb\u003e25th December 1941\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;\"\u003eThe surviving Japanese POW card is an especially poignant piece of surviving evidence, recording his personal details, next of kin address at \u003cb\u003e9 Clifford Gardens, London NW10\u003c\/b\u003e, and later annotations concerning his death from pneumonia while in captivity.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;\"\u003eLike thousands of Allied prisoners captured in the Far East, George endured horrific conditions in Japanese captivity. Prisoners suffered severe malnutrition, disease, brutal treatment and appalling overcrowding. Japanese POW camps routinely ignored the Geneva Convention, while food shortages and lack of medical care led to catastrophic death rates among Allied prisoners.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;\"\u003eAt some stage during captivity George was transported aboard the notorious \u003cb\u003eLisbon Maru\u003c\/b\u003e, one of the infamous Japanese “Hell Ships” used to move Allied prisoners in appalling conditions. The Lisbon Maru became one of the most infamous POW transports of the war, with prisoners packed into filthy holds suffering from disease, starvation and lack of sanitation. Many prisoners died either during transport or shortly afterwards from the effects of captivity and the voyage itself.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;\"\u003eGeorge was later transferred to \u003cb\u003eOsaka POW Camp\u003c\/b\u003e in Japan. Official records state that he died on \u003cb\u003e8th February 1943\u003c\/b\u003e, aged just \u003cb\u003e25\u003c\/b\u003e, from \u003cb\u003eacute pneumonia\u003c\/b\u003e whilst still a prisoner of war. One record specifically notes:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;\"\u003e“Died from pneumonia on the Lisbon Maru.”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;\"\u003eAnother official casualty report records:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;\"\u003e“Previously reported Prisoner of War now reported Died; previous Theatre of War: Hong Kong.”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;\"\u003eThe Japanese records further confirm that he died at approximately \u003cb\u003e3:05am\u003c\/b\u003e from \u003cb\u003eacute pneumonia\u003c\/b\u003e, having fallen ill only days earlier.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;\"\u003eGeorge Albert Gardner is today buried in the beautifully maintained \u003cb\u003eYokohama War Cemetery, Japan\u003c\/b\u003e, grave reference \u003cb\u003eBrit. Sec. K.A.10.\u003c\/b\u003e His grave marker bears the moving family inscription:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;\"\u003e“ALWAYS IN OUR THOUGHTS UNTIL WE MEET AGAIN. DAD AND MOTHER.”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;\"\u003eThe medal group is mounted as worn and privately named in the exact same style as his father’s medals, strongly suggesting that the medals were mounted and worn by \u003cb\u003eFrederick Gardner\u003c\/b\u003e himself in memory of his son following the war. This creates an exceptionally moving connection between the two generations — the father an Old Contemptible of the First World War, the son dying in Japanese captivity during the Second.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;\"\u003eBombardier Frederick James Gardner – 126th (Middlesex) Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment, Royal Artillery (TA)\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;\"\u003e1939-45 Star – \u003ci\u003eunnamed as issued\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003eFrance \u0026amp; Germany Star – \u003ci\u003eunnamed as issued\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003eDefence Medal – \u003ci\u003eunnamed as issued\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003eWar Medal – \u003ci\u003eunnamed as issued\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003eEfficiency Medal (Territorial) – \u003cb\u003e6206132 BDR. F. J. GARDNER. R.A.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;\"\u003eFrederick James Gardner\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;\"\u003e was born on \u003cb\u003e7th April 1919 at Headington, Oxfordshire\u003c\/b\u003e, the second son of \u003cb\u003eFrederick Gardner\u003c\/b\u003e — the First World War Grenadier Guards veteran and Old Contemptible — and \u003cb\u003eMyra Elsie Webb\u003c\/b\u003e. He was the younger brother of \u003cb\u003ePrivate George Albert Gardner\u003c\/b\u003e, 1st Battalion Middlesex Regiment, who died in Japanese captivity in 1943 after the fall of Hong Kong.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;\"\u003eThe Gardner family produced two sons who served during the Second World War, each in very different theatres of war. Whilst George endured the catastrophic Far East campaign and subsequent imprisonment by the Japanese, Frederick James served in North-West Europe with the Royal Artillery after the conversion of his Territorial Army Middlesex unit into an anti-aircraft regiment.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;\"\u003eFrederick James Gardner initially served with the \u003cb\u003eMiddlesex Regiment, Territorial Army\u003c\/b\u003e, before the unit was transferred into the Royal Artillery as part of the wartime expansion and reorganisation of Britain’s air defence forces. He served as:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;\"\u003eBombardier Frederick James Gardner, Royal Artillery\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eService Number: 6206132\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;\"\u003eHis service is confirmed through the award of the \u003cb\u003eEfficiency Medal (Territorial)\u003c\/b\u003e officially named:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;\"\u003e6206132 BDR. F. J. GARDNER. R.A.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;\"\u003eHe served with the \u003cb\u003e126th (Middlesex) Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment, Royal Artillery (TA)\u003c\/b\u003e, a unit formed in \u003cb\u003eFebruary 1942\u003c\/b\u003e from the \u003cb\u003e60th Searchlight Regiment\u003c\/b\u003e. The regiment later became part of \u003cb\u003e74 Anti-Aircraft Brigade\u003c\/b\u003e and eventually served in North-West Europe following the Normandy campaign.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;\"\u003eThe regiment’s wartime movements are particularly interesting, as it followed the Allied advance across liberated Europe during the latter stages of the war. After home defence duties in Britain — including service in Norfolk, Leicestershire, Dorset and along the Sussex coast — the regiment moved overseas in \u003cb\u003eOctober 1944\u003c\/b\u003e, serving under \u003cb\u003e21st Army Group\u003c\/b\u003e in Belgium and Holland.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;\"\u003eThe unit’s recorded locations included:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul style=\"margin-top: 0cm;\" type=\"disc\"\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list 36.0pt;\"\u003e\n\u003cb\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;\"\u003eGheel, Belgium – October 1944\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list 36.0pt;\"\u003e\n\u003cb\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;\"\u003eNijmegen, Holland – November 1944\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list 36.0pt;\"\u003e\n\u003cb\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;\"\u003eRotterdam, Holland – May 1945\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;\"\u003eAs a Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment, 126 (Middlesex) RA would have been tasked with protecting troop concentrations, bridges, supply routes and important installations from German air attack during the Allied advance through North-West Europe. By late 1944, these units were also frequently employed in ground support roles due to the declining Luftwaffe threat, often operating dangerously close to the front line during the advance into Holland and Germany.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;\"\u003eAn especially poignant aspect of the group is its connection to his elder brother, \u003cb\u003ePrivate George Albert Gardner\u003c\/b\u003e, who had died whilst a prisoner of war in Japanese captivity on \u003cb\u003e8th February 1943\u003c\/b\u003e, aged only 25. While Frederick James was serving with anti-aircraft forces preparing for the liberation of Europe, the family was simultaneously enduring the devastating loss of George in the Far East.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;\"\u003eGenealogical records show that Frederick James later married \u003cb\u003ePeggy Eileen Lewis\u003c\/b\u003e in Somerset in December 1942, only weeks before news would eventually emerge regarding his brother’s death in captivity. He survived the war, later raising a family, and died in \u003cb\u003eBrent in February 1972\u003c\/b\u003e, aged 52.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;\"\u003eTrooper Alfred Dodge – 11th Hussars, North Africa \u0026amp; Italy Campaigns\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;\"\u003e1939-45 Star – \u003ci\u003eunnamed as issued\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAfrica Star – \u003ci\u003eunnamed as issued\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003eItaly Star – \u003ci\u003eunnamed as issued\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003eDefence Medal – \u003ci\u003eunnamed as issued\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003eWar Medal – \u003ci\u003eunnamed as issued\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;\"\u003eAlfred Dodge\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;\"\u003e was born on \u003cb\u003e23rd December 1919 at Shoreditch, London\u003c\/b\u003e, and later served during the Second World War with the famous \u003cb\u003e11th Hussars (Prince Albert’s Own)\u003c\/b\u003e under the service number:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;\"\u003e7908230 Trooper Alfred Dodge, 11th Hussars\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;\"\u003eHe later married \u003cb\u003eDiana Rose Gardner\u003c\/b\u003e — daughter of First World War Grenadier Guards veteran \u003cb\u003eFrederick Gardner\u003c\/b\u003e, and sister of \u003cb\u003ePrivate George Albert Gardner\u003c\/b\u003e, Middlesex Regiment, who died as a prisoner of war in Japanese captivity in 1943. As such, Alfred became part of an extraordinary military family whose service stretched across both world wars and several theatres of conflict.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;\"\u003eThe medal group is accompanied by his \u003cb\u003eoriginal service book\u003c\/b\u003e, together with wartime telegrams and paperwork sent to \u003cb\u003eDiana Gardner\u003c\/b\u003e, who would later become his wife. These personal documents add considerably to the human story behind the medals, preserving direct links between Alfred and the Gardner family during wartime Britain.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;\"\u003eThe \u003cb\u003e11th Hussars\u003c\/b\u003e was one of the British Army’s most famous cavalry regiments, renowned for its long mechanised reconnaissance tradition and for becoming the first British unit to enter action during the Second World War in September 1939. By the time Alfred Dodge served with the regiment, the 11th Hussars operated as an armoured reconnaissance formation equipped with armoured cars and light vehicles, undertaking scouting, screening and forward patrol duties in some of the most dangerous operational environments of the war.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;\"\u003eThe award of the \u003cb\u003eAfrica Star\u003c\/b\u003e confirms Alfred’s service in the North African campaign, where British and Commonwealth forces fought a prolonged desert war against German and Italian forces across Libya, Egypt and Tunisia. Reconnaissance regiments such as the 11th Hussars operated far ahead of the main formations, frequently encountering enemy forces first and enduring harsh desert conditions, long-range patrols, artillery fire and sudden engagements with Axis armour.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;\"\u003eHis subsequent entitlement to the \u003cb\u003eItaly Star\u003c\/b\u003e shows continued overseas service following the North African campaign, almost certainly during the Allied invasion and advance through Italy after 1943. The Italian campaign proved one of the most difficult fought by British forces during the war, with mountainous terrain, defensive German positions and brutal weather conditions resulting in prolonged and costly fighting from Sicily northwards toward the Gothic Line.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;\"\u003eThe accompanying paperwork gives a particularly personal aspect to the group. The surviving telegrams and correspondence sent to \u003cb\u003eDiana Gardner\u003c\/b\u003e preserve the wartime relationship between Alfred and the woman he would later marry in \u003cb\u003eDecember 1944 at Willesden, Middlesex\u003c\/b\u003e. At the same time, Diana’s own family had already suffered the devastating wartime loss of her brother \u003cb\u003eGeorge Albert Gardner\u003c\/b\u003e, who died in Japanese captivity aboard the Lisbon Maru system after the fall of Hong Kong.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;\"\u003eElectoral and civil records show Alfred and Diana later living together at \u003cb\u003eKensal Rise\u003c\/b\u003e, before later moving through north-west London districts including Kilburn and Harrow. Alfred died in \u003cb\u003eKing’s Lynn, Norfolk, in January 1985\u003c\/b\u003e.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;\"\u003ePLEASE NOTE: All research will be sent to the buyer via email. I am unable to provide printed copies, as I do not have access to a printer.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;\"\u003eAJMS Medals\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"AJMS Medals","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54436358193498,"sku":null,"price":590.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0958\/9850\/1466\/files\/20260501_151213.png?v=1784231904","url":"https:\/\/ajms-medals.com\/products\/family-medals-middlesex-regiment-hong-kong-pow-died-japan-ww2-grenadier-guards","provider":"AJMS Medals","version":"1.0","type":"link"}