WWII Medals of Major Jock McGruther

A very special set of six World War II medals awarded to '2699 Maj. J. R. McGruther'. The 1939-45 Star, Africa Star, Italy Star, Defence Medal, War Medal 1939-45 and the New Zealand War Service Medal. Major John Robert 'Jock' McGruther was born 25 June, 1915 to John Honi Ruki Pohepohe McGruther and Daisy Mary Te Kurawhakairi Ormsby at Tamahere. He was Head Boy at King's College in 1933. He received his commission as a Lieutenant and was assigned to the Eighteenth Battalion, thirty-fourth anti-tank battery, to serve in the Middle East, stationed in Egypt. Jock saw action in Crete, Greece, and Italy. While in Crete, around 1941 he was severely wounded and was sent to a field hospital for over a month before being repatriated back to New Zealand to complete his recovery. He didn't have to return to the front lines; his wounding was sufficient to allow him to see the rest of the war out at home, but he was desperate to get back to be with his comrades. He returned to the second N.Z.E.F. fighting front in January 1944 and was posted to the 24th Battalion as a company Commander with the rank of Major. It was a fateful decision; he was killed in action just seven months later on 14 July, 1944. A clear account of his death is given in R.M. Burdon's, 'Official History of 24 Battalion'. He killed in action at Monte Camurcina (south west of Florence). 2 New Zealand Division was attempting to dislodge the enemy which was standing firm south of Arezzo in order to delay the advance up the Arno valley. In June, 2 Battalion had advanced through Sora and Captain McGruther, commanding C Company, had occupied a castle dominating Sora. On the morning of 14 July the headquarters was being heavily mortared from about 7 am. Shortly before 10 am Major McGruther was badly wounded by shellfire. Sergeant Thompson promptly came up from the RAP to carry him out, only to find on arrival that he had died in the meantime. The second-in-command, Captain Casling-Cottle took over the company. Mounted on bar and with ribbons and copies of military records