Eight: Regimental Quarter Master Sergeant F. E. Snell, Devonshire Regiment, who was...

Eight: Regimental Quarter Master Sergeant F. E. Snell, Devonshire Regiment, who was Mentioned in Despatches for services during the Siege of Malta 1939-45 Star; Africa Star; Italy Star; France and Germany Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45, with M.I.D. oak leaf; General Service 1918-62, 1 clasp, Palestine 1945-48 (5610172 W.O. Cl. 2. F. Snell. Devon.); Army L.S. & G.C., G.VI.R., 1st issue (5610172 Cpl. F.E. Snell. Devon.) mounted for wear, extremely fine, the GSM rare to the Devonshire Regiment (8) £300-£400 --- Approximately 17 General Service Medals with clasp Palestine 1945-48 awarded to other ranks in the Devonshire Regiment. M.I.D. London Gazette 14 October 1943 Frederick Ernest Snell was born in Stonehouse, Plymouth in 1903. A Boy Labourer aged 15 he attested for the Devonshire Regiment at Plymouth on 21 July 1919 and was posted as Band Boy to the 1st Battalion. He served with the 1st Battalion at Waterford during the Irish Troubles 1920-21 and embarked for Shanghai where in 1927 the battalion formed part of the Shanghai Defence Force. Serving later in Malta and India, he was posted to the 2nd Battalion in Bordon, Hampshire, on 30 March 1933. Promoted Corporal and appointed Orderly Room Clerk on 15 February 1934 he was awarded his Long Service and Good Conduct Medal in 1938. Embarking with the 2nd Battalion in July 1938 for Malta he was Orderly Room Sergeant throughout the Siege of Malta, an appointment for which he was Mentioned in Despatches. Following the siege the 2nd Battalion moved to Egypt in April 1943 before taking part in Operation Husky. Promoted War Substantive Warrant Officer Class II, he landed with his battalion at Marzamemi, Sicily, on 10 July 1943 and took part in the successful capture of the island. Returning to England in December 1943 he was posted to GHQ 2nd Echelon 21 Army Group. Posted next to North West Europe he rejoined the 2nd Battalion Devonshire Regiment in Berlin in January 1946. Returning to the Depot his final posting as Regimental Quartermaster Sergeant was to the Ships Staff HT Eastern Prince on 5 March 1948 for a voyage to the Eastern Mediterranean, qualifying him for his General Service Medal with clasp Palestine 1945-48. Transferring to the Reserve in December 1948 he was finally discharged on 21 August 1953. He died at Tiverton, Devon on 22 February 1974, aged 70. Sold with copied service record and other research.