WW2 "8th Army" Medal Group of (4) Medals to Gunner Cleland, South African Artillery
1939-45 Star; Africa Star, clasp, 8th Army; Defence Medal 1939-45; Africa Service Medal,
All officially impressed ‘143971 J. M. B. Cleland’
Good very fine
John Morton Blignaut Cleland was appointed to the 5th Field Regiment, South African Artillery, on 14 March 1941. Leaving Durban on 22 July 1941, he served in North Africa with the Eighth Army against Axis Forces led by General Erwin Rommel, but his service was prematurely cut short by ill health. Embarked home via the Suez Canal 11 December 1942, Cleland spent much of the spring of 1943 suffering from sickness which resulted in two stays at military hospital. Discharged in consequence on 4 August 1943, he likely returned to the family address at 185 Dunbarton Road, Arcadia, Pretoria.
