A group of six World War Two medals awarded to Private John King Buthlay, No 2880628, Army Air Corps (3rd Parachute Regiment) to include 1939-45 Star, Africa Star, Italy Star, France and Germany Star, the Defence Medal and the War Medal, together with a Fairbarn-Sykes Second Pattern 'Fighting Knife', with a brass knurled or checkered grip with a rounded pommel and a 2 inch wide oval cross guard stamped B2 and with a broad arrow, the blade not engraved and shortened in length, measuring 6.5 inches (16.5cm), overall length 29cm, complete with a partial metal tipped leather scabbard, lacking mounting straps.

Private John King Buthlay served with the 3rd Parachute Regiment and was captured at Arnhem during Operation Market Garden. He was then interned at the German camp Stalag X1.B. He eventually escaped with other members of the regiment making it back to friendly lines. The collection includes relevant paperwork and Red Cross letters, telegrams to his wife and a signed 20 Mark Reischmark paper note by other soldiers. There is also a presentation book given to the family members of the 3rd Parachute Regiment who were believed to have died and his R.A.O.B enamelled jewels for the Eric Knight Lodge dated 1958.

Condition report
Fairbarn-Sykes Fighting Knife - the brass grip is heavily worn. the cross guard is stamped B2 and with a broad arrow. the blade is not etched and has been reduced in length by approximately 1.5cm. There are some small knicks out of the edges of the blade. The upper section of the scabbard is missing completely, and the mounting straps are also missing. The metal tip to the scabbard is dented.

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