A Group of Nine Medals to Staff Sergeant George James Bowes-Taylor of the South African Medical Corps (SAMC).
Second World War. All medals impressed: “P4642 G.J. BOWES-TAYLOR”
- 1939-45 Star
- Africa Star with 8th Army Clasp
- Italy Star
- Defence Medal
- War Medal 1939-45
- South African Service Medal
Korean War. First two impressed: “P4642 G.J. BOWES-TAYLOR”
- South African Korea Medal
- United Nations Korea Medal
- Republic of Korea War Service Medal
Also in this sale:
- 1937 drivers license with photo in SAMC uniform and a photo of him older
- Baptism certificate and Bible chapter
- A pair of dog tags
- 8th Army bullion wire badge and slider
- Two pairs of bullion wire dress uniform sergeant’s stripes
- Two tickets for 1947 Presentation of Colours by King George VI
- Korean War medal ribbons
- Pair of Korean War No. 2 Squadron “Flying Cheetahs” collar badges
There are too many images of items that are for sale and supporting documents to be accomodated in this listing. These can be viewed/downloaded. Click on this link to access.
Included in this sale are a copious number of documents copied from the archives. From these and other documents the following can be gathered. Bowes-Taylor was born or 23 August 1913 at Thanbankulu in the Transkei District of the Eastern Cape. In 1939 he married Phyllis Purvis (Note: I am listing her father’s WWI medals seperately). They had one child. Bowes-Taylor died on December 23, 1969, at the age of 56.
In 1934, aged 21, he enrolled for training with the Army’s Special Services Battalion and in the following year volunteered for ambulance work with the SAMC, Active Citizen Force. In 1936 he attested for permanent service in the SAMC (PF) for three years. He continued to attest for different durations of service until he purchased his discharge on 30th November 1956.
In the Second World War he served overseas between August 1941 and November 1944 during which time he was prompted to Staff Sergeant. Between July 1942 and March 1944 he was attached to 203 SA Reserve Motor Transport Company which was part of the 8th Army in North Africa. He was then sent to Italy and was with 106 Military Hospital between April and October 1944.
During the Korean War he served with a small (probably 3 men) SAMC unit attached to No. 2 Squadron of the SA Air Force. The South African Korea Medal Roll by Colin Owen records that he was in Korea between June 1951 and August 1952. For the remainder of his military service he was at the Voortrekkerhoogte military hospital in Pretoria where he had spent the majority of his peacetime service.
International buyers please contact me. Shipping by the South African Post Office is no longer possible. Alternative methods are available but these are either expensive or will take a long time.
