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Stafford man's weary World War Two teddy bear up for auction Stafford man's weary World War Two teddy bear up for auction
(1 day later)
A teddy bear that was said to have been present during World War Two battles is set to go under the hammer.A teddy bear that was said to have been present during World War Two battles is set to go under the hammer.
The bear was a gift to 76-year-old Tom Matthews, from Stafford, from his father after the war.The bear was a gift to 76-year-old Tom Matthews, from Stafford, from his father after the war.
His father received it from a Dutch woman after he was stationed in her village which had been "stripped bare" by the German forces in 1944.His father received it from a Dutch woman after he was stationed in her village which had been "stripped bare" by the German forces in 1944.
Mr Matthews was told how the bear was present at the D-Day landings and was used by his father as a pillow. Mr Matthews' father Tom Sr used the bear as a pillow when he slept in his tank during the Battle of the Bulge.
"Dad took part in the D-Day landings," he said, "and the bear was part of his war story. Mr Matthews said the teddy was part of his father's war story, adding: "My father was given the bear by a teacher he was billeted with.
"The bear also crossed the Rhine, came under shell fire and took part in the Allies' victory parade in Berlin, sitting on dad's lap." "He was humbled by the gift as she had so little. She wanted him to take the bear home for me as she was so appreciative of what he'd done."
Mr Matthews and his wife, Mo, have no children and no one to leave the bear to, and it has spent the past 40 years in their loft. Mr Matthews added: "The bear also crossed the Rhine, came under shell fire and took part in the Allies' victory parade in Berlin, sitting on dad's lap."
Mr Matthews and his wife, Mo, have no children and no-one to leave the bear to, and it has spent the past 40 years in their loft.
"I'd hate him to end up in a skip during house clearance because someone thinks he's just a scruffy old bear," he said."I'd hate him to end up in a skip during house clearance because someone thinks he's just a scruffy old bear," he said.
"He's seen and done a lot of things - more than most people.""He's seen and done a lot of things - more than most people."
The bear is expected to fetch up to £600 when it goes up for auction at Hansons Auctioneers in London on 9 December.The bear is expected to fetch up to £600 when it goes up for auction at Hansons Auctioneers in London on 9 December.
Owner Charles Hanson said he was "honoured" to sell the toy, adding: "I've never heard such an amazing story connected to a humble teddy bear".Owner Charles Hanson said he was "honoured" to sell the toy, adding: "I've never heard such an amazing story connected to a humble teddy bear".
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