*British, WWII, 14415796 L/Cpl Harold Francis Collins - 5 Medal Bar & Military Police Cap Badge, Full Service History, Photograph & Bible*
A fine and well-documented WWII medal and ephemera group awarded to 14415796 Lance Corporal Harold Francis Collins, Corps of Military Police. Collins's service across multiple key campaigns in North Africa, Italy, and North West Europe illustrates a remarkable wartime journey.
Group includes:
Five mounted medals:1939–45 Star, Italy Star, France and Germany Star, Defence Medal, War Medal 1939–45
Original Ministry of Defence letter dated 5 October 1988 confirming service details, addressed to Collins’s family.
Brass Corps of Military Police cap badge.
Period group photograph featuring a unit portrait.
Personal service New Testament ("Luke Army Edition") with printed dedication from King George VI.
Service details (from official MoD letter):
Collins enlisted into the General Service Corps (embodied Territorial Army) on 15 October 1942. He subsequently transferred to several infantry regiments — Duke of Wellington’s Regiment (25.11.42), Royal West Kent Regiment (10.08.43), Hampshire Regiment (14.09.43), and King’s Own Yorkshire Light Infantry (26.09.43) — before finally transferring to the Corps of Military Police on 29 December 1945. He was released to reserve liability on 16 August 1947 and fully discharged in 1959.
Campaign service:
North Africa: 15.07.43 – 18.06.44
Mediterranean Expeditionary Force: 19.06.44 – 23.02.45
Central Mediterranean Force: 24.02.45 – 03.03.45
North West Europe: 04.03.45 – 05.05.47
Military conduct: Recorded as "Very Good."
*Condition*
Medals remain in good condition, mounted as worn with bright ribbons. The badge shows age-related patina and some verdigris on the reverse. The Bible is intact with minor wear and slight staining, consistent with service use. The original MoD letter is clean, clearly legible, and an excellent piece of documentation. The photograph is sharp with only minor edge wear. Please see photographs as part of the condition report.
