WWII archive belonging to one of the original dozen members of the SAS including wartime medals, unseen photos of the Who Dares Wins regiment and a commando fighting knife goes up for auction

• Fred Casey was among the original dozen members of the 1st Special Air Service created in North Africa
• Commando’s military possessions include photo album containing previously unseen images of elite force
• Photos include those of Captain David Stirling who formed the ‘He Who Dares Wins’ regiment

An extraordinary wartime archive that belonged to an early member of the SAS who topped a Nazi death list has been discovered.

The late Fred Casey was among the original dozen members of the 1st Special Air Service that was created in North Africa to wreak havoc behind enemy lines.

The commando’s military possessions include a photo album containing previously unseen images of the founding members of the elite force.

An extraordinary wartime archive that belonged to an early member of the SAS, Fred Casey (pictured), who topped a Nazi death list has been discovered

The late Fred Casey was among the original dozen members of the 1st Special Air Service that was created in North Africa to wreak havoc behind enemy lines. Pictured: A collection of photos show the first members of the SAS in North Africa. Casey (pictured centre in a boxing stance), was the boxing champion for three years when he served in 4th Battalion in the Royal Sussex Regiment)

The commando’s military possessions include a photo album containing previously unseen images of the founding members of the elite force. Pictured: Casey (left) with other members of 1st SAS on a hunting trip in North Africa

These include the legendary Captain David Stirling who formed the ‘He Who Dares Wins’ regiment and hand-picked the men under his command.

Others show Corporal Jack Sillito who spent eight days walking through the desert with no water after getting separated from his unit in 1942.

Casey also snapped Lieutenant Colonel Paddy Mayne, a former British Lions rugby international who went on to destroy more than 100 enemy aircraft in SAS operations.

And there are various group photos of the hardened soldiers who are depicted as an unkempt, wild bunch of maverick soldiers.

As well as the album, Casey’s archive also includes his lethal SAS commando fighting knife and a map of France 

The legendary Captain David Stirling, who formed the ‘Who Dares Wins’ SAS regiment and hand-picked the men under his command, is also pictured in the album

Casey’s archive also includes his wartime medals and his SAS beret (pictured), which still boasts its iconic dagger badge

Mr Casey was dropped behind enemy lines with the SAS in North Africa, Italy and France, taking part in operations to blow up airfields, supply depots, communications links and railways. Pictured: His 1st SAS badge

The veteran died in March and his possessions are being auctioned off by Bosley’s of Marlow, in Buckinghamshire. Pictured: One of Mr Casey’s badges

As well as the album, Casey’s archive also includes his wartime medals, his lethal SAS commando fighting knife, an escape map of France and his SAS beret.

He was dropped behind enemy lines with the SAS in North Africa, Italy and France, taking part in operations to blow up airfields, supply depots, communications links and railways.

The Germans regarded the unit as so dangerous they ordered the execution of any who were captured.

Indeed, in 1944 35 captured commandos from two operations in German-occupied France were summarily executed.

Casey, from Brighton, East Sussex, survived the war and was personally awarded the Certificate of Gallantry by Field Marshall Bernard Montgomery.

Casey was dropped behind enemy lines with the SAS in North Africa, Italy and France, taking part in operations to blow up airfields, supply depots, communications links and railways. Pictured: Csaey’s medals and knife 

In 1944, 35 captured commandos from two operations in German-occupied France were summarily executed. Pictured: Unknown members of Casey’s SAS regiment sitting in armoured Jeeps in North Africa

Casey also snapped Lieutenant Colonel Paddy Mayne, a former British Lions rugby international who went on to destroy more than 100 enemy aircraft in SAS operations

Members of Casey’s regiment are seen on a victory parade in Norway after the Allied victory over Nazi Germany in 1945

SAS legend Paddy Mayne in the Western Desert, he took over 1st SAS after founder David Stirling was captured

Members of the regiment (Casey is not pictured), are seen in their desert uniforms alongside a vehicle in North Africa

Casey, from Brighton, East Sussex, survived the war and was personally awarded the Certificate of Gallantry by Field Marshall Bernard Montgomery

His archive is now being sold by militaria auctioneers Bosleys of Marlow, Buckinghamshire.

His medals are valued at £2,000 as is the photo album and the SAS sand beret is worth £1,500.

Bernard Pass, of Bosleys said: ‘Original World War Two SAS material is now very rare to find, but this grouping offers a very rare opportunity for collectors to acquire original material, but more importantly knowing the name and military history of the original owner.

‘The photograph album containing original “snap shot” photographs gives a unique opportunity into the way the SAS operated and lived during its early days.

‘Many of the images are not staged for a hungry band of war correspondences, but are real life uncensored images of men trained for the arduous duties of special operations which would set the foundations and traditions not only for the SAS of today, but most international Special Operations Regiments.’

Casey served in Territorial Army before the war and then joined the 4th Battalion in the Royal Sussex Regiment, where he was boxing champion for three years.

After the war Casey left the military and became a parquet floor layer. He married wife Buddy and they had two sons 

His extraordinary exploits in the Second World War are caught on film in his album. Pictured: Unknown members of 1st SAS on a hunting trip in North Africa

Bernard Pass, of Bosleys said: ‘The photograph album containing original “snap shot” photographs gives a unique opportunity into the way the SAS operated and lived during its early days’

When war broke out in 1939 he trained as a commando and saw action with the British Expeditionary Force in Europe and was evacuated from France on May 30, 1940.

In 1941 he joined 8 Commando and served in Egypt before going on to join the SAS.

He served in Europe until May 1945 and was then posted with his unit to Norway.

After the war he left the military and became a parquet floor layer. He married wife Buddy and they had two sons.

Casey died in 1997 aged 81.

His archive is being sold on March 4.  

Pictured: Members of 1st SAS parading in their heavily armed jeeps in Norway at the end of the war

The Germans regarded the unit as so dangerous they ordered the execution of any who were captured. Pictured: Members of the SAS in North Africa

Source: Read Full Article