Ex-Wicketkeeper batter to auction military medal collection, set to earn 100K pounds

Former England wicketkeeper-batter Jack Russell, known for his unique look with a floppy hat, has revealed that he is also a collector of military medals. Over the years, he has gathered 135 medals and now plans to auction them. The collection is expected to be around 100,000 pounds.

Having played 54 Tests and 40 ODIs for England from 1987 to 1998, Russell scored over 2,300 runs, including two centuries in Test matches. Along with his cricket journey, he cultivated a keen interest in collecting military medals.

According to Stroudnewsandjournal.co.uk, Russell will auction the medals on April 15. He started collecting them at a young age, and it became a hobby for him over time.

Now 62 years old, Russell explained, "When I was on tours with the England cricket team, I always made sure to visit military sites and battlefields. I also tried to pay my respects at military graves whenever I could.

"I have always found this deeply moving, as it's the personal experiences of the men themselves that truly captivate me. I began collecting medals about 30 years ago," Jack Russell said.

"At first, I collected medals from all regiments, but eventually, I focused on my home county regiment, aiming to cover each battalion and as many campaigns as I could. I feel that I’ve connected as deeply as possible with the regiment and its soldiers, and now it’s time to pass these medals on to other collectors who can take care of them and continue the journey for these remarkable men," Jack Russell added.

Russell greatly enjoyed this hobby, but now he feels it's time to explore new interests.

"I believe this is common for most collectors, but for me, I've reached a point where I feel it's time to shift gears and move in a new direction," Russell mentioned. 

"[Jack's] collection of medals from the Gloucestershire Regiment, which fought in the Battle of the Somme during World War I in 1916, not only highlights the history of this esteemed infantry regiment and its significant actions but, more importantly, it shares the personal stories of some of the brave men of the Glorious Glosters. It is through their actions that they are remembered,"  auctioneer Oliver Pepys said.