An Interesting Family Medal Group to an Interwar Period Professional Footballer who was Taken Prisoner of War Whilst Serving with the Royal Artillery in July 1940, 1939-45 Star medal, War medal 1939-45 with Army Council medal issue slip for 2 medals in cardboard box of issue addressed to W.E, Kirkbright, 69 Coast Road, Rhyl. Also with a pair of fibreboard dog tags impressed 1458981 and an intact zinc German prisoner of war tag impressed STALAG XXIB NR. 7419. With his fathers 1914 Star medal on a white metal watch chain, medal impressed ‘TS-1201 DVR J. KIRKBRIGHT A.S.C.’ Lot also contains 4 hall marked silver sports medals and a collection of original documentation relating to William Ernest Kirkbright’s career as a professional Footballer. Silver sports medals with engraving on the reverse – S.& D.F.L. LITTLE GEM CUP WINNERS 1924-5, S.& D.F.L. LITTLE GEM CUP WINNERS 1927-8, B.V.F.L 1934/5, B.V.F.L. S.M.L. 1934-35. Original documentation includes: 2 selection to play notification post cards from Shrewsbury Town F.C. dated 17th and 25th August 1926, Letter from Wrexham Association Football Club inviting William to play a trial match, 18th July 1926, Letter from Willenhall Football Club relating to a trial game, 18th June 1924, 2 letters from Birmingham Football Club relating to playing against Aston Villa ‘A’ team, Letter from Kidderminster Harriers & Football Club regarding playing a trial match as a centre forward, 27th March 1926. Documents in varying conditions with some tearing and loss but still legible.John Kirkbright from Small Heath Birmingham attested for service on 15th May 1914, served with the Meerut Reserve Park and was discharged as no longer fit for service on 12th November 1917 due to a fractured right thumb.William Ernest Kirkbright enlisted on 27th April 1930 and was reported missing whilst serving with the 239/101 A.A.& A. Tk Regt on Casualty List 269, 31st July 1940. He is confirmed as a Prisoner of War on casualty list 323, 2nd October 1940 and his release is notified in Casualty List 1816, 24th July 1945 from Stalag 383, Hohenfels. This lot comes with some additional information from the family indicating that he refereed the 1937 F.A. Cup Final in 1937 but we have at present been unable to confirm this. An interesting lot worthy of further research.