IWC Dirty Dozen

WWII SECOND WORLD WAR ' DIRTY DOZEN ' MILITARY WATCH - RGMT SGT MAJOR HARRY SKILTON

Property of Regimental Sgt Major Harry Skilton - an original WWII Second World War IWC ( International Watch Company ) ' Dirty Dozen ' military issue wristwatch. Stainless steel cased mechanical watch with black face with broad arrow below the IWC, luminous Arabic numerals, subsidiary seconds dial at 6 and stamped on the back WWW for 'Watch Wrist Waterproof'. 33mm case, with original period strap. Ticking at time of cataloguing but sold without guarantee. Provenance: the property of one Regimental Sgt Major Harry Skilton of the East Surrey Regiment. Skilton served in North Africa, Sicily and Monte Casino. He was known to have taken part in Operation Torch in October 1942, the 1st Battalion East Surreys had a complement of 796, but by May 1945 only eighteen men remained - most had been killed or wounded. He joined the army at just fourteen by lying about his age in 1934. Consigned from the family. Photograph shows him on his wedding day in 1943 - his bride's dress being made from an RAF parachute.