Seven: 1939/45 Star, Africa Star, Italy Star, Defence Medal, War Medal, General Service Medal (GVI) “Malaya” and African General Service Medal (QEII) “Kenya”. First five unnamed as issued. GSM and AGSM correctly impressed to 5618908 PTE A. E. JEFFREY DEVON (5618908 SGT A. E. JEFFERY DEVON on African General Service Medal).
Enlisted into the second battalion Devonshire Regiment and posted to Malta by the summer of 1939
Having spent the duration of his time under siege in Malta the unit embarked for Alexandria in March 1943 and after a short stint of training, they were ready for the invasion of Sicily (during the Sicilian campaign the Malta Brigade took 40 percent casualties).
After the Sicilian campaign the regiment was further tasked with the Invasion of Italy of where Private Jeffery was knocked out during the advance. After recovering from his injuries Private Jeffery found himself attached to the American forces advancing on Rome whilst his unit had been withdrawn in preparation to D-Day. Spending two months with the Americans Private Jeffery was finally withdrawn and sent back to the UK.
As his unit was already deployed Private Jeffery found himself floating around the UK attached to several units, even at one stage spending a short stint in a military prison (for trading boots). This accounts for no long service medal.
At the end of the war, now Lance Corporal Jeffery’s was posted back with the Devon’s to Singapore, Hong Kong and surrounds in the jungle fighting against the uprising groups of Communist insurgents. In 1949 L/Cpl Jeffery was discharged in the UK and after a year of civilian life, re-enlisted and was on his way to Malaya.
After the fighting in Malaya and promoted to Corporal, Jeffery’s was sent to North Africa as the regime of King Farouk in neighbouring Egypt was in trouble and the Devon’s were at the ready. After King Farouk was driven from power Jeffrey now a Sergeant was sent to Kenya against the Mau Mau revolt (March 1953).
Serving further with the territorials after Kenya and now at the age of forty one, Sgt. Jeffery discharged on the 11th January 1963.
Note: A chapter in Philip Zeigler’s “Soldiers” Fighting Men’s Lives 1901-2001 is dedicated to Sergeant Jeffery’s life (book included). Also comes with hat badge.
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