German Third Reich Hitler Youth dagger, the hilt with black chequered grips and enamelled diamond shaped H.J. badge, broad single edged blade by Carl Heidelberg, Solingen, the H.J motto on the reverse side has been ground, but a slight shadow of it remains, some losses to the plating but otherwise in an untouched condition, lacking scabbard, 13.5cm blade, 24.5cm overall

Salvaged by the vendor’s late father, John Pierce Lane. Lane was born in Oxford on 3rd April 1920. In the late 1930's he joined the Territorial Army and was called up to the regulars at the outbreak of war in 1939. He was in the artillery with the Northumberland Hussars.

In June 1944, now with the officer rank of Captain, he participated in the allied invasion of France landing on Gold Beach in Normandy. Over the course of the next many months, he fought through northern France and into Belgium (the Battle of The Ardennes), then on into Holland with direct involvement in the Battle of Arnhem. Finally, he was part of the allied push into Germany resulting in German surrender and the end of the war. He remained in Germany for some months engaged in settlement, restructuring and social rebuilding work before finally returning to England for de-mob in 1946.

He returned home with the three other daggers/knives, which he acquired towards the very end of the war in Germany