Eric Lines (113th LAA) Auction Details

Medals of WWII D-Day hero who helped to liberate Bergen-Belsen death camp are re-united with his family 30 years after they had to be sold to pay for widow’s care. A D-Day hero’s medals have been reunited with his family 30 years after they had to sell them to pay for his widow’s care.

Regimental Sergeant Major Eric Lines won the prestigious Military Medal for helping to defend Pegasus Bridge on June 6, 1944.

He went on to fight at Nijmegen during Operation Market Garden, was one of the first to cross the Rhine into Germany and helped liberate the Bergen-Belsen concentration camp.

Sergeant Major Lines died in 1977 and his children had to reluctantly sell his war medals to help pay for their mother Irene’s care in the 1990s.

Thirty years later, the family found out they were coming up for sale at auction. A friend who was doing some online research spotted them.

The Lines family all chipped in to bid and saw off fierce competition to secure the return of the medals and his personal effects for a hammer price of £2,600 at London-based auctioneers Noonans.

Sergeant Major Lines’ son Des said they were ‘determined not to miss out’ on getting his late father’s medals, ceremonial sword and other mementos.

Mr Lines, a 62-year-old painter and decorator from Wakefield, West Yorkshire, said afterwards: ‘My father died when he was 56 when I was 14 and my mother, Irene, carried on until she was 93.

Medals of WWII D-Day hero who helped to liberate Bergen-Belsen death camp are re-united with his family 30 years after they had to be sold to pay for widow’s care

 

Thirty years later, the family found out they were coming up for sale at auction. A friend who was doing some online research spotted them.

The Lines family all chipped in to bid and saw off fierce competition to secure the return of the medals and his personal effects for a hammer price of £2,600 at London-based auctioneers Noonans.

Sergeant Major Lines’ son Des said they were ‘determined not to miss out’ on getting his late father’s medals, ceremonial sword and other mementos.

Mr Lines, a 62-year-old painter and decorator from Wakefield, West Yorkshire, said afterwards: ‘My father died when he was 56 when I was 14 and my mother, Irene, carried on until she was 93.
A D-Day hero’s medals have been reunited with his family 30 years after they had to sell them to pay for his widow’s care. Regimental Sergeant Major Eric Lines won the prestigious Military Medal for helping to defend Pegasus Bridge on June 6, 1944

 

‘It got to the point where she needed various things and we decided we had to sell the medals to pay for that.

‘A friend of ours found the Noonans page online with Eric Lines’ medals for sale.

‘They checked with me and asked ‘is this your dad’ and I said yes.

‘From that moment, we were determined to get the medals back.

‘The whole family chipped in and one of my daughter’s went down with my friend to the auction.

‘We are very pleased to be reunited with the medals and I can’t wait to show them to my nine-year-old grandson who has been doing history at school.’

Mark Quayle, associate director of Noonans, said: ‘We are delighted that we have been able to help facilitate the return of these medals to the recipient’s family.’

Sergeant Major Lines was born in Yorkshire in 1921 and enlisted in the 4th Battalion, King’s Own Yorkshire Light Artillery, in March 1938.

He became sergeant of 368 Battery, 113 Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment in April 1941, advancing to Sergeant in February 1942.

On D-Day he manned a gun in an exposed position as the Germans bombarded the strategically important Pegasus Bridge over the Orne river.

But the doughty Yorkshireman stood firm in the face of the relentless short range enemy artillery fire.

Sergeant Major Lines was also in the thick of the action during ill-fated Operation Market Garden and was later among the first men to make the Rhine Crossing.

The final month of the Second World War was likely his most harrowing as he helped liberate Belsen-Bergen concentration camp, where 50,000 prisoners including Anne Frank died.

His Military Medal citation reads: ‘This NCO has displayed the greatest gallantry through the whole of the NWE (North West Europe) campaign.

‘Because of his well-known aggressive spirit he has been allotted in each deployment the most dangerous position for his gun, and on each occasion he has more than justified the confidence placed in him.

‘Immediately on landing in June 44 his gun was deployed in defence of Pegasus br. over the river Orne at Benouville.

‘The position was directly exposed to enemy short range artillery fire, so that movement outside the gun-pit was impossible by day; and all food & amn.. had to be brought up by night.

Nevertheless his gun engaged enemy a/c coming within range with steady and accurate fire regardless of the covering fire given by the enemy arty.

‘At Nijmegen in September 44 his gun was in a similar position on the North bank of the Waal river beside the East fort, when the Regt. deployed in defence of the town a few days after its capture, and at the Rhine crossing his gun was the first to cross Twist br. on D-day.

‘At Belsen in April 45 Sjt. Lines took a leading part in organisation of the female camp of some 10,000 women.

‘He was i/c reception, and his sympathetic handling of the thousands of forlorn creatures rescued from the Concentration Camp evoked a personal letter from the Mil. Gov. Comd. recommending his outstanding work for recognition.

‘Whatever job was allotted to him, Sgt. Lines has always maintained the highest personal standards – his steadiness under fire, his cheerfulness, his physical fitness, and his aggressive spirit have been a magnificent example to everyone in his Bty.’

Post war, Sergeant Major Lines remained in the army and served with the 33rd Parachute Light Regiment, 289 Parachute Regiment, 3rd Light Regiment, HQ Ulster Defence Regiment and Commandant of the Joint Service Parachute Centre.

He remained in the army until his retirement in 1976 after 38 years of service and then spent his final years in Wakefield.

Auction Details.
A good Second World War ‘North West Europe’ M.M. group of seven awarded to Major (Quarter Master), late Regimental Sergeant Major, E. Lines, Royal Artillery, whose extraordinary record of service during the Second World War included: being deployed in defence of Pegasus Bridge shortly after it’s capture in June 1944; as part of XXX Corps at Nijmegen in September 1944; and taking part in the Crossing of The Rhine, 23 March 1945. He was engaged in a more humanitarian role after the discovery of the Concentration Camp at Belsen in April 1945, where he ‘took a leading part in organisation of the female camp of some 10,000 women’ and where he was noted for ‘his sympathetic handling of the thousands of forlorn creatures rescued from the Concentration Camp’

Military Medal, G.VI.R. (4690934. Sjt. E. Lines. R.A.) suspension claw re-pinned, with official corrections ; 1939-45 Star; France and Germany Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45; General Service 1962-2007, 1 clasp, Northern Ireland (Capt. (QM) E. Lines MM. RA.); Army L.S. & G.C., E.II.R., 2nd issue, Regular Army (4690954 W.O. Cl. 2. E. Lines. M.M. R.A.) mounted as worn, generally very fine (lot) (7) £2,000-£3,000

M.M. London Gazette 24 January 1946. The original recommendation (for a B.E.M.) states:

‘This NCO has displayed the greatest gallantry through the whole of the NWE campaign. Because of his well-known aggressive spirit he has been allotted in each deployment the most dangerous position for his gun, and on each occasion he has more than justified the confidence placed in him.

Immediately on landing in June 44 his gun was deployed in defence of Pegasus br. over the river Orne at Benouville. The position was directly exposed to enemy short range artillery fire, so that movement outside the gun-pit was impossible by day; and all food & amn. had to be brought up by night. Nevertheless his gun engaged enemy a/c coming within range with steady and accurate fire regardless of the covering fire given by the enemy arty.

At Nijmegen in September 44 his gun was in a similar position on the North bank of the Waal river beside the East fort, when the Regt. deployed in defence of the town a few days after its capture, and at the Rhine crossing his gun was the first to cross Twist br. on D-day.

At Belsen in April 45 Sjt. Lines took a leading part in organisation of the female camp of some 10,000 women. He was i/c reception, and his sympathetic handling of the thousands of forlorn creatures rescued from the Concentration Camp evoked a personal letter from the Mil. Gov. Comd. recommending his outstanding work for recognition. Whatever job was allotted to him, Sgt. Lines has always maintained the highest personal standards – his steadiness under fire, his cheerfulness, his physical fitness, and his aggressive spirit have been a magnificent example to everyone in his Bty.’

Eric Lines was a native of Yorkshire, and was born in October 1921. He enlisted in the 4th Battalion, King’s Own Yorkshire Light Infantry (T.A.) in March 1938, and was embodied and posted to the 2/4th Battalion in September 1939. Lines transferred to the Royal Artillery, and was posted to the 55th Search Light Regiment in February 1940. He advanced from Lance Bombardier to Lance Sergeant between September – November 1940. Lines was discharged, April 1941, in order to re-engage in the Regular Army and was posted to 368 Battery, 113 Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment. He advanced to Sergeant in February 1942, and to Acting Warrant Officer II in February 1945.

Lines stayed in the army after the war, in order to complete 12 years service. He undertook multiple postings, and advanced to Warrant Officer Class II in November 1952. The following year he re-engaged to complete 22 years service, and was posted to 33rd Parachute Light Regiment, Royal Artillery in January 1958. Lines advanced to Warrant Officer Class I (R.S.M.) in January the following year. He was permitted to continue in service beyond 22 years, and was posted to 289 Parachute Regiment, Royal Horse Artillery in March 1963.

Lines was commissioned Lieutenant (Quarter Master) in August 1964, and served with the 3rd Light Regiment, R.H.A., August 1964 – March 1968. Having advanced to Captain (Quarter Master) in April 1966, subsequent postings included on attachment to the H.Q. Ulster Defence Regiment, February 1970 – January 1972. Lines advanced to Major (Quarter Master) in April 1972, and postings included as the Commandant of the Joint Service Parachute Centre. Major Lines retired in October 1976, after nearly 40 years of service. In later life he resided at 76 Flanshaw Crescent, Wakefield, West Yorkshire.

Sold with an extensive amount of related items and documents, as befitting a soldier of such long service – these including: Royal Artillery Officer’s Sword, E.II.R., by Wilkinson Sword Ltd, with leather scabbard; Tray, stainless steel, engraved ‘Presented to W.O.I (R.S.M.) and Mrs E. Lines From Warrant Officers and Sergeants of 289th Parachute Light Regiments R.H.A. (T.A.)’; a plated salver – engraved ‘Presented to W.O.I (R.S.M.) E. Lines, M.M. By the Officers 289 Parachute Regiment, R.H.A. (T.A.) April 1964; a Mantel Clock, with metal plaque engraved ‘Presented To Major E. Lines MM RA By His Brother Officers Of Recruit Selection Centre On The Occasion Of His Retirement 12 October 1976’; a Canteen of Chrome Plated Cutlery, with metal plaque engraved ‘From W.O.s & Sgts. Edinburgh Battery 26.3.60; a number of prize medals and trophies – including a tankard engraved ‘Presented To R.Q.M.S. E. Lines MM. By W.O.’s & Sgts. Mess 33 PARA Lt. Regt R.A. 1959’; Berets, ties, and uniform complete with various insignia; a leather bound and annotated photograph album compiled by recipient, mainly comprising photographs of his posting to Tigne Barracks, Malta in 1956; 2 group photographs including recipient, firstly as part of the Warrant Officers & Sergeants of 33rd Parachute Light Regiment, Royal Artillery, and secondly as a Captain with the officers of the the 3rd Regiment, Royal Horse Artillery, both framed and glazed; a comprehensive file of letters, newspaper cuttings, M.O.D. correspondence and both recipient’s Warrant, dated 1 November 1952 and his Commission as Lieutenant (Quarter Master) R.A., dated 18 August 1964.

Source: Noonans Mayfair, January 2025

Happy to report this auction lot is now back in the family possession.
“We are very pleased, it was a local historian who specialises in WW2 that alerted us. She knows us and let us know they were in the auction otherwise we would have been none the wiser. It was only a few weeks between finding this out and the actual auction so a short time to get the money together, we had many offers to help financially which truly humbled me, but they came in less than expected so kept the cost in the family. It was the same collector who bought them from us all those years ago. He had sadly passed away and his executors put his collection to auction including Dad’s stuff so most of it was still together. Looking to get Dad’s story put together properly and hopefully get a display in our local museum for a while. They will eventually belong to my grandson who is 9 and is very interested in his great-granddad’s history. Feel a weight of regret has been lifted.”

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