Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Family group:
A Great War 1918 ‘French theatre’ M.M. group of five awarded to Lance Corporal P. R. Todd, 1/2nd West Riding Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps
Military Medal, G.V.R. (403338 Pte - A. L. Cpl. - P. R. Todd. 1/2 W. Rid: F. A. R.A.M.C.) minor edge bruise; 1914-15 Star (555 Pte. P. R. Todd, R.A.M.C.); British War and Victory Medals (555 Pte. P. R. Todd. R.A.M.C.); Special Constabulary Long Service Medal, G.V.R., 1st issue (Percival R. Todd) sold with riband bar, generally very fine or better

Six: Chief Petty Officer Airman A. Todd, Fleet Air Arm, taken POW whilst serving with 830 Squadron from St. Angelo, Malta, in 1941
1939-45 Star; Atlantic Star; Africa Star; Air Crew Europe Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45, nearly extremely fine (11) £800-1000

M.M. London Gazette 13 September 1918.

Percival Richard Todd was born in Knaresborugh, Yorkshire. He served during the Great War with ‘B’ Section, 1/2nd West Riding Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps on the French theatre of war from 15 April 1915.

Alan Todd was born in Knaresborough, Yorkshire, in May 1920, and was the son of P. R. Todd. He joined the Royal Navy as Boy 2nd Class in October 1936, and advanced to Able Seaman in August 1939. Todd transferred to the Fleet Air Arm as Naval Airman I, in December 1939, and was posted for service with 803 Squadron (Skuas and Rocs) at R.N.A.S. Hatston, in February 1940. Having advanced to Leading Airman, Todd was posted to 830 Squadron, St. Angelo, Malta, in October 1940. Flying Swordfish torpedo bombers the squadron was mainly engaged in targeting enemy merchant ships and their escorts in the Mediterranean. Todd was taken prisoner of war in 1941, and interned for 19 months in Laghouat Camp, Algeria. Todd returned to the UK, advanced to Chief Petty Officer Airman, and served with 846 Squadron, October 1944 - October 1945. He was discharged 22 June 1950.

Although his Certificate of Service gives his entitlement to both Atlantic and Air Crew Europe Stars, it is probably either an issuing or typographical error, with his correct entitlement being to an Atlantic Star, with Air Crew Europe clasp.

Sold with the following original documentation relating to P. R. Todd: 6 photographs of recipient in uniform, including as part of ‘B’ Section in Flanders, 1915; a copy of Twenty Years Ago with the 1st/2nd West Riding Field Ambulance RAMC(T) 49th Division, 1914-1919 by A. Johnson, which was presented at the Reunion Dinner in Leeds, 4 February 1939.

Sold with a large amount of original documentation relating to A. Todd, including: Parchment Certificate of Service; Royal Navy Higher Educational Certificate, Second Class; History Sheet for Air Gunner and Rating Observer; History Sheet for Air Gunner and Observer’s Mate; Recommendations for Advancement and Conduct Record Sheet; Royal Navy Certificate of Educational Qualification for Commissioned Officer (Branch List), dated 24 March 1950; Interim Trade Certificate, dated May 1950; Record of War Gratuity and Post War Credit of Wages, dated 7 December 1948; Order for Release from Naval Service, dated 22 June 1950; a large number of photographs of recipient in service and family life, including several from his time in as POW at Laghouat, Algeria, in 1941; 5 service maps, Second War period; and a large quantity of letters, mostly bound in a book, from recipient to his wife written whilst on service 1947-48.