Africa Star 1940-43 awarded to Junior Commander Bevis Reid, Auxiliary Territorial Service

Copper-zinc alloy medal in the form of a six-pointed star, on the obverse, the royal cypher, 'GRVI', for King George VI (1895-1952), within circlet bearing the medal name, 'The Africa Star', surmounted by a crown. The medal is suspended by a ring from a pale buff ribbon with central red stripe flanked by light and dark blue stripes.

Bevis Anael Shergold (nee Reid) was born in 1919 and was an accomplished track and field athlete by the time World War Two (1939-1945) broke out. She was a national champion in javelin and discus and participated in the 1938 European Athletics Championships in Vienna.

During the War, Reid served in the Auxiliary Territorial Service in Egypt and Algeria. Working in military intelligence, Reid's work included translating prisoner of war interrogations. After the War, Reid competed in the 1948 Summer Olympics in London, throwing the discus and javelin.

Instituted in 1943, the Africa Star was awarded to British and Commonwealth personnel who served in the operational area of North Africa between the 10 June 1940 and 12 May 1943 during World War Two.

From a medal group awarded to Junior Commander Bevis Anael Reid (later Shergold), Auxiliary Territorial Service, including: 1939-45 Star, Africa Star 1940-43, Italy Star 1943-45, and British War Medal 1939-45.