SIGNALMAN BOLEY IS MARKED WITH "X" (BOTTOM LEFT)
FAMILY GROUPING
1. GROUP OF SIX: 1939/45 Star, Atlantic Star, France and Germany clasp, Africa Star, Defence Medal and War Medal all unnamed as issued and still in outer sleeves. Attributed to Royal Navy Signalman D/JX 208027 Arthur Kenneth Wallace Boley and comes with a large amount of original paperwork, photo's (with signatures of the full course on reverse of group photo), Drivers License, Naval signals hand written notes (not in photo as too large) and other Ephemera related to Signalman Boley.
Leading Signalman Boley (also appears as Bowley) was taken prisoner of war in the commando (Tobruk) action when his ship "HMS SIKH" was lost in a gallant action along with "HMS ZULU" in 1942.
Friday 2nd October 1942 the Western Daily Express published the following "Signalman Kenneth Boley.... is reported missing following the loss of HMS SIKH at the attack on Tobruk"
The fact that Sig. Boley was taken P.O.W. is confirmed by his original discharge (included with medals) which shows he has been granted Prisoner of War Leave (discharging from the HMS Rodney in 1946).
An estimated 70 survivors of the HMS SIKH were picked up in the water or were able to make it to shore. In March 1943 an unprecedented event occurred with the exchange of 788 POW's in the neutral Turkey. This exchange has caused many a debate as it was outside the Geneva Convention (and not handled by the Red Cross) and thus the POW's were technically allowed to re-join the war effort and most went on to take part in D-Day.
Due to the large amount of original paperwork with this group, we can see that Sig. Boley was back in service in 1943 and must have been part of this amazing exchange.
2. Pair: Defence Medal and War Medal unnamed as issued. Attributed to 20103 Petty Officer Margaret Elizabeth Webb W. R. N. S. (Wife of Signalman Boley) comes with original discharge (order of release) certificate dated 1946 and photo in uniform.
3. Single: British War Medal correctly impressed 1015652 PTE. E. R. WEBB C. M. G. BDE. Edward Robert Webb enlisted in 1916 with the 231st Battalion of the Canadian Expeditionary Force (Father of Margaret Webb).
4. TRIO: 1914/15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal impressed to SE 4755 PTE E. H. BOLEY A.V.C. Ernest Boley served in the Army Veterinary Corps embarking on the 6th Match 1915 for France (Father of Signalman Boley).
Paperwork varies in condition but eligible in all areas. Medals VF to EF SOLD
