WW2 Group of 4 To Wakefield 5th Wiltshire’s Wounded in Action

An untouched group of 4 medals awarded to 5571440 Private Anthony Mervyn Wakefield of the 5th Battalion Wiltshire Regiment. This lot includes his medals, the 1939/45 star, France and Germany Star, the defence and war medal still in named and addressed box of issue and comes with his Soldiers service and pay book, Soldiers release book, old comrades association members card, army education card, Wiltshire regiment blazer badge, various original badges and insignia and a retirement clock, more about that later.
Anthony Wakefield was born in Wilshire on 1st August 1918. Before the war he was employed as a butcher in Devises. He enlisted in 1939 into the 5th battalion and became a skilled battalion driver and mechanic. The 4th and 5th Battalions of the Wiltshire Regiment were both Territorial Army units called in to active service at the start of the Second World War. The 5th Battalion was formed on 25th March 1939 as the 2nd Line duplicate of the 4th Battalion, part of the expansion of the Territorials in throughout 1939 when the European conflict seemed increasingly likely. From 1939 to 1944, the battalion remained in England training, attached to 129th Infantry Brigade, part of the 43rd (Wessex) Infantry Division.
Although the 5th Battalion was a 2nd Line Territorial unit, it was assigned to a 1st Line brigade now a highly trained unit ready for combat.
As part of the 129th Brigade, both the 4th and 5th Wiltshires participated in the Battle of Normandy, landing in France on 24 June 1944. On arrival in theatre, the division became part of VIII Corps. Both battalions would be heavily engaged in many battles during the campaign across North-West France, the low countries, and Germany. During the Normandy Campaign, this included the Battle of Odom, the fight for Hill 112 part of Operation Jupiter, and the capture of Mont Picon.
After the breakout from Normandy, the 5th Wiltshire’s would be one of the first two British battalions to force a crossing of the Seine River. On 25th August 1944, along with the 4th Battalion, Somerset Light Infantry, they crossed the Seine in paddled assault boats. Once across, the 5th Wiltshire’s had to hold-off a counter-attack from the German forces including three Tiger tanks. The 5th Wiltshire’s were able to hold and extend the beachhead enough to allow reinforcements to be brought over. Eventually, by daybreak on 26th August 1944, the Somersets were reembarked and brought to the right landing site. The 4th Wilts were ferried over while elements of the 214th Infantry Brigade, also a part of 43rd (Wessex) Division, managed to cross at a damaged bridge in order to relieve the battered 5th Wiltshire’s.
Fusilier Wakefield was reported missing on the 9th September and later found wounded. I have been unable to ascertain if his wound was serious enough for him to be discharged or he was patched up and returned to his battalion in the field. However, he was not discharged until 1946, so I would assume he went on to finish his service in Europe.
During Operation Market Garden, the 5th Wiltshires formed part of the relief force that tried to reach the airborne troops of the US 82nd and 101st Airborne Divisions, as well as the British 1st Airborne Division fighting at Arnhem. After the failure of Market Garden and the defeat of the German counter offensive. Fusilier Wakefield was reported missing on the 9th September and later found wounded.
As mentioned, he was discharged in January 1946 and left with an excellent reference as a skilled driver, mechanic and electrical engineer. After the war he went to work for the Vickers Engineering at the South Marston works in Swindon Wiltshire. Here they modified Spitfires into trainers, as well as refurbished Walrus and Sea Otter amphibians. He worked here for 31 years retiring in 1978 and he was presented with a Garrard & Co of London mantle clock, which is still in perfect working condition.
The badges and insignia are in good used condition, but his medals have never been out of the box and remain in their original wax papers.
This is a man who needs a lot more research not only to honour his was service but also his time with Vickers.

Code: 31415