Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Korea 1950-53, 1st issue (14468512 Gnr W R Slade RA) a slightly later issue, extremely fine £240-£280

W. R. Slade served with the Royal Artillery in Korea, and is believed to have been taken Prisoner of War, as a ‘Gunner W. R. Slade’ (without mentioning his service number) was reported as ‘missing’ in the Times on 20 January 1951. The same man’s release from North Korean captivity is recorded in the book ‘No Mercy, No Leniency’ by Cyril Cunningham:
‘On 16 or 17 February [1951], or thereabouts, the column prepared to leave Suan on the next stage of their march northwards. Two weeks at the Bean Camp had resulted in many deaths and had seriously weakened the underfed survivors who were now in a poor condition for marching long distances. Before they left they were asked if they felt fit enough to proceed and many of the sick and wounded were left behind. Of these Sergeant Rankin, Lance-Corporal Harris, Gunner Slade, and Riflemen Griffiths and Atkid had very unexpected and remarkable luck. They and all the other prisoners of war were unaware that an important feature of the original Lenient Policy was to send a few prisoners back across the battlefield loaded with propaganda leaflets calling on the enemy troops to surrender. Thus did they regain their freedom and provide our military authorities with the first concrete evidence of how the North Koreans and Chinese were treating British prisoners of war.’

Sold with a copy of the book ‘No Mercy, No Leniency’ by Cyril Cunningham; and other research.