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A Rare Grouping of Second World War Prisoner of War Memorabilia to a Jewish-Canadian R.C.A.F. Pilot

Currency:CAD Category:Everything Else / Other Start Price:NA Estimated At:1,500.00 - 2,500.00 CAD
A Rare Grouping of Second World War Prisoner of War Memorabilia to a Jewish-Canadian R.C.A.F. Pilot
A Rare Grouping of Second World War Prisoner of War Memorabilia to a Jewish-Canadian R.C.A.F. Pilot Officer
comprising 1939-45 Star, Volunteer Service Medal with Bar and 1939-45 War Medal, a Caterpillar Club gold pin with ruby eyes engraved '8.17.41' with accompanying membership card, Swiss YMCA Medal with french inscription which translates
'In Recognition for Service to his Comrades in Captivity War Prisoners Aid
WMCA Geneva', original cablegrams and Record Office R.A.F. letter concerning
Shapiro being missing in action and then confirmed a prisoner of war, a Swiss
YMCA 1945 dated letter, 21st Sept. 1945 dated RCAF discharge certificate, a
veteran's embroidered wing , tunic buttons and a copy of the Hamilton Spectator for Monday May 7, 1945 with the headline 'Nazis Quit'. (lot)
Pilot Officer Simon Shapiro was serving as a Sergeant Pilot with No.10
Squadron R.A.F. when he was shot down and bailed out on a mission on the 17th
August, 1941. He was subsequently a prisoner of war at Stalag Luft III where he assisted in preparations for the famous Great Escape. In the last days of the war Shapiro and his comrades marched out of the camp and met with British forces. A British colonel asked for a prisoner who could speak Yiddish. Shapiro was then taken to witness the horrors of Buchenwald concentration camp first hand. An important and poignant collection of prisoner of war memorabilia
See illustration
Est. $1500/2500