Medals & Militaria Saturday, 22 June 2024 - 11:00 AM start

QSM & WW2 Medal Group W Straw

Lot Details

Queen's Service Medal and WW2 medal group awarded to William Straw. William Straw was born 12th May 1917 at Christchurch, New Zealand. Son of George Frederick and Ethel May Straw (née Evans). He served with the 2nd New Zealand Expeditionary Force during the Second World War, firstly in the Pacific with 30 Battalion, and then in North Africa and Ital (note, the service file for Straw has not been obtained so his service and medal entitlement needs verification). After the war he returned to Christchurch, where he worked as a glazier. Straw was involved in wrestling for 48 years and managed all New Zealand wrestling teams between 1967-68, 1979, 1984-85. He was a controller of many tournaments held in New Zealand and became chief controller in 1974. Straw was elected to New Zealand executive in 1969 and was deputy chairman between 1982-84. He was a life member of both the New Zealand and Canterbury Amateur Wrestling Association. For his services to New Zealand Wrestling, Straw was awarded the Queen’s Service Medal for community service in the 1987 New Years Honours list. William Straw died in Christchurch on 6th December 1991 and is buried in Ruru Lawn Cemetery. QSM is impressed W.H. STRAW and the WW2 medals are unnamed. QSM is in box of issue, and is mounted on the original investiture pin.